Generation 8 - Chapter 24

It was very cold and wet waiting for Daric to meet her. Cherish had arrived a few minutes early for the tour of the house. She was already impressed by what she saw, even though everything was covered in a blanket of snow. It was definitely quiet this far out of town. She could just barely see the lights coming from Main street beyond the treeline. This plot of land was on a hill so she imagined she would be able to see for miles on a clear day.

She wished the benches had more cover so she could sit and wait without getting her bottom all wet.

"Ahh, Miss Solo! I hope you haven't been waiting long. I'm Daric."

He was an older man, slightly stooped but still gave off an aura of energy and strength. As she shook his hand she knew he had spent many long hours tending to the variety of plants now dormant in his garden himself. There was an immediate connection. This is someone she could talk to and he would listen. Someone that could teach her some things about her trade. Someone she could actually relate to.

"Let's get on with the tour shall we? You've seen the outside, lets go in where it's warm."

The door opened up into the living room. Cherish appreciated the cozy feel the place even with it's open floor plan. The walls were lined with bookshelves, the decor was very rustic and homey. The kitchen was more modern than she imagined from the outside look of the house but she could appreciate having updated appliances and plumbing in an old house.

He had plants in every room and Cherish just loved it. There were tall windows to let in lots of light but she knew she wouldn't have to worry much about privacy because of how far away the closest neighbor was. Overall it had that feeling of comfortable seclusion. It was old but well taken care of. It was perfect.

They talked for a bit about price, how old certain items were. What he would be leaving with the house and what he would take. Any problems he'd had to fix. He also asked Cherish a lot about her gardening skill and what she envisions about the house should she want to change anything. Time passed very quickly as they got into a long discussion about plants and the pros and cons of starting seedlings indoors. Cherish felt her pocket vibrate and when she looked it was a text from Wind.

"it's late, where r u?"

Cherish was surprised to see that it was nearly midnight. She sent GG a quick response and apologized to Daric for staying so late. She walked out the door with him telling her how much he enjoyed their conversation and that he hoped to hear from her again soon.

She drove home thinking more about the easy conversation she had had than the house she was supposed to be considering. She couldn't remember the last time she talked to someone that enjoyed gardening as much as she did! Her heart felt lighter than it had in months. It felt like it used to after hanging out with Fatima. 

But Fatima was leaving soon. 

Cherish jumped in the shower when she got home, after sticking her head in Wind's room to tell her she was home. The shower was more to get warm than anything else. Driving across town on a scooter in the snow was cold business!

"FATIMA!"

Cherish roared. Her hair was blue. Blue! What was Fatima thinking? Was this supposed to be funny? Was it payback for not supporting her dream to be on that dating show? She was going to KILL her! It took and extra 20 minutes to wash all the dye out then Cherish went looking for her former friend.

"What it wrong with you? Are you twelve again or something? Was that supposed to be funny??"

"Yeah. It was funny! I'm sure you looked ridiculous. I was trying to get you to lighten up. You used to be fun! We used to have a good time. Now all you do is mope and complain! it wouldn't hurt you to have a little fun once in a while!"

Cherish and Fatima yelled and argued and screamed at each other. Turns out Cherish wasn't the only one missing their friendship.

"You're still in high school Fat, I'm not. I have a business. It's harder than you think. I can't do all the things you do anymore. It's weird for me to hang out with you when your friends are over. We can't do the things we used to do....."

"Then we find new things to do! Look, I know you're all 'grown up' now or whatever, but you don't have to treat me like a little kid! I will be 18 soon, then I am leaving for SimTulane. If you want to be an old fuddy duddy now, that's your choice, but stop talking down to me! I like boys, I like fun, I'm going to be on TV one day! You used to listen to me when I talked about these things. You used to support me!"

And she marched off.

Cherish wasn't quite sure how to process all of that. She hadn't been talking down to Fatima, had she? She knew she had less patience for the high school silliness she saw Fatima get into. Perhaps she could be more supportive.

"Once she goes off to uni and grows up a little we'll be on the same page again. I guess."