Another Day in Paradise 1: Dreams

Jenna Hirsch

     What am I doing here? This is insane.
     "I did not find any evidence of a break-in, Miss Hirsch. Perhaps it was the storm last night."
     "Right. Thanks." I shake the officer's hand. It's true that last night there was a huge deluge of pouring water coupled with lightning straight from the furnaces of Hephaestus himself, bypassing Zeus because the bolts couldn't wait. Add raging hurricane-force winds enough to make you fear for your life, or at least the life of your roof, and you've got a "storm" as he called it. I was convinced, for a few moments, that I would either be drowned in my own bed or swept out to sea. We had thunderstorms back home--but nothing like what happened here.
     He stands there as if he expects me to say more. Or maybe that's not it. Maybe he's just making sure I'm really okay. I probably sounded like a lunatic when I called emergency services. One of the empty rooms had its windows broken in. Yeah. It was the storm.
    "Was it a hurricane?"

     He smiles, and I detect a trace of condescension. "No. These storms happen. These buildings have been here for a few decades now."
     "I know that." Meaning the place is falling apart. That isn't news to me. Doesn't that give me a good enough excuse to be scared? However, having just a window broken, it looked like a break-in.
     Oh, why did I buy this place? Did I need to escape that badly? My parents aren't that bad.
     His voice gets a touch quieter. "But, perhaps, if you still don't feel safe, I could check here again later."
     I pop my head back to face him from where I'd been looking at the ramshackle resort I foolishly purchased. His eyes do a little popping of their own--back up to my face, and he smiles what is probably his most charming smile.
    A man behind him moves his hand like he's just gotten a splinter and is looking at it. Plum. That's all I need. More complaints.
    "No. You're right. It was the storm. I got overexcited."
    "Well, if you should change your mind or need anything in future, give me a call." He reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out a business card. Geez, cops have cards too?
    "Thaaaaaaanks," I say slowly while looking at the card.
    He smiles, does an old-fashioned tip of his hat, turns, and leaves. I shrug and put the card inside my bra, not having any pockets otherwise. Who knows? Maybe I'll need it later--although I doubt for reasons he might want.

     This was a mistake.
     "Hey, lady! I need something on this before I get tetanus or god-knows what!"
     I sigh silently. There are first aid supplies at the front desk, and I quickly make my way in that direction. "Yes. So sorry. I thought I sanded those thoroughly enough."
     He snorts and shakes his head.
     My thoughts turn sarcastic: Oh sure. Buy a resort. Those things practically run themselves! You'll be on a beautiful tropical island, a real paradise. You can finally escape your overbearing parents. You'll be master of your own destiny.
     Well, the truth is that it's loads of work, and that doesn't even include trying to keep people happy.
     I wipe away a tear and find the antibiotic sample-size things, whatever they're called. For good measure, I also get a bandage. On my way through the lobby, the guy working the front desk looks at me blankly. No offer of help.
     An image flashes in my mind of the cop guy licking a splinter in my finger, and my face twists in shocked disgust. I don't want that kind of help.
     Still, owning the resort isn't all I thought it'd be. My employees are lazy. They're always late. If a guest asks for something, they get around to it... eventually. At first, I fire them and hire new ones. However, I soon discover most people here have the same attitude.
     My latest guy "working" the front desk tells me I need to get away from the resort and go relax. At first, I laugh, and I actually consider writing him up for insubordination from the tone he used.

     Maybe it's me who has the problem. Maybe he was just worried I was working myself to death.
     It doesn't help. No matter what I do, I can't stand for my guests to be upset. But I can't ever get all of them happy in any consistent manner.

     I'm exhausted, and I'm about ready to give up. There was a reason I could afford the place. It should be condemned. But I cannot go back to my parents empty-handed, a failure.
     The storms continue to take their toll on my resort. It seems just as soon as I get something fixed, something else breaks. I'm about ready to tear the whole thing down myself. I'd love to rebuild. But that takes money, money I don't have anymore. I have to keep the guests coming, and in order for that to happen, they have to leave good reviews.
    I lower my rate. This helps bring more people in, but I don't know how much longer I can save this sinking vessel. I'm taking on water, barely able to float.

    One afternoon, I've had it from working eighteen hours straight. It's the time of day when most of my guests are out touring the area, so I take a quick nap.

     "Miss? ... Miss boss lady? ..." Even in my dreams, they don't let me rest. "Hello? ... Are you up here? ... Oh."

     I slowly open my eyes to see a man in swim trunks smiling down at me like he's enjoying a private joke. I must still be dreaming--a good dream. The kind filled with hot guys who all do my bidding.
     "I'm sorry to wake you up."
     I'm not dreaming. "Ah!" I yell out and stand up way too fast out of the chair, losing my balance for half a second. Caught sleeping on the job! My guests already think, wrongly, that I'm lazy just because this place still looks like crap.

     "I was just closing my eyes for a moment to get the sand out of them. What can I help you with?"
     He's a guest? I don't remember him checking in. I think I would've remembered that. How did I miss it?
     I must look foolish because he keeps smiling like he's laughing at me. "I was swimming, and I found what I think might be part of your resort. The back of a bench maybe?"
     "Oh." I rub my eyes. Then I pat my hair to make sure it's okay. "Probably. That storm we had here a week ago did a number on this place."
     "That is not difficult to imagine."
     "I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. Is there anything you need to make your stay more enjoyable?" The words leave my mouth before I even consider their implication. My jaw drops a tiny bit, and I'm terrified I'm blushing. Plum! I panic. "I, I, I mean that... I know it doesn't quite look like the brochure, but I'm sure I-"
     He holds up his hand. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not a guest."
     I slump. "Oh." Why am I disappointed?

     His eyes are invisible behind the sunglasses, and I randomly wonder where he keeps the shades while he swims. The corners of his mouth move up a fraction before he says, "I live nearby."
     "Oh," I repeat. A neighbor. Well, this makes things a little better. How is it I haven't seen him before? Then, I figure out why. "Sorry. I don't get out much. This place still needs a lot of work." Should I offer him a job?
     The smile turns sympathetic. "Not what you expected?" He waits to see me shake my head no. "I have to agree you're brave to take on this place."
     Brave or stupid. "Brave?" Is the resort haunted?

     "I mean a woman here working all by herself, being the solo owner." He thinks he's explaining. I could get angry here at his implication, but my mind takes the conversation differently.
     "Oh, I'm not alone. I have plenty of employees around day and night who are really talented at standing around and pretending to do things."
     He finally lets out a laugh. It's a nice laugh. He has a nice voice. It's not too deep but just deep enough. Nice. He has nice lips.

     I take a deep breath and look at his lips.

     I don't even question it when he pulls me to him and kisses me like I didn't know I needed. So. Nice.
     "My name is Mateo."
     Names are nice.
     I close my eyes.
     "Um, Miss?"

     I jump, startled. Huh? What just happened?
     "Are you okay?"
     OH. PLUM. That was all my head. I'm standing here like an airhead having waking fantasies about a man I just met.

     Positive I'm blushing this time, I look down at the faded boards at my feet. "Sorry. I'm really tired." Yeah. So much so that I'm dreaming while standing upright.
    "Then I'll leave the back of the bench with your front desk man and let you sleep. See you around."
    He turns and walks away, and I don't know if I want to ask him to wait or not. Watcher knows I don't need another scene like that again, but I don't know how to find him again.
    He said, 'see you around,' right? He'll come back to visit. Surely.

    Weeks go by, and I install a pool. It's a marvelous refresher for the resort! My guests are happy, even if this means more stick around during the day, making my life harder. Mateo--if that's actually his name and not something my dream made up--never stops back by.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
For those of you who have been following me for a while now, Jenna may look familiar. I used the same sim as Bryce's ex, Ashley. Jenna's a lot less vindictive, though. Probably. Or not.
And yes, that's Mateo Torres, who came with the neighborhood. Dammit. I should've known better. If you know anything about him, well, was it the storm that broke the window?

If you liked this, want to read more, think it's the worst thing ever written (hope not), have tips, or just want to say hi, leave a comment. They're a blog writer's favorite drug. :)

Uncomplicated 4.1: The other side of crazy

Wren

      "Hey." I told Darin I'd meet him here. We're friends.

      "Mom is driving me insane."

      "What did she do this time?" A week ago, I went home with him on the bus. His mom is a bit of a nutjob.

     "She said she wants to curl my hair for graduation!"

     I start giggling. Then I laugh harder.

     "Thanks," he says sarcastically. I keep laughing. He'd told me earlier that he thinks that his mom never really got over the fact that he was a boy. She'd wanted a girl.

     "I can't help it!"

     He folds his arms and watches me, looking more upset by the second.

     I hug him. "No hard feelings, Darin. You were right. Your mom is crazy."

     He stiffens. "Wren, don't do that."

     "What are you talking about?"

     "I like that Michale doesn't have a problem with us being friends. So don't go and hug me."

     I take a surprised step backwards. It never even occurred to me that Michale would have a problem with me being friends with Darin. Darin is my friend. "What would me giving you a simple, friendly hug have to do with anything?"

     "Nothing. Not really. But I don't want anything to get misinterpreted. He is crazy about you, and I don't want to end up on the wrong side of crazy."

      I scowl. "He's fine."

      "Sure he is." He doesn't look convinced of his own words. "I'd just like to keep it that way."

      I change the topic back to his mom. We stand and discuss various options as to how to get her to stop treating him like she wished he was a girl.

       "I'm going to give myself a buzz cut."

       "Then you'll look like you've joined the military." I turn to him to see him shrug.

       "Maybe I will."

       My mouth drops. "No way! You told me you'd enter the movie biz with me! I need your script skills."

       He laughs quietly. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

       We stand up, saying we'll see each other at graduation.

     My birthday rolls around, and we just have a small party. I don't want anything huge.

     I wish for my life to have a happily ever after. 

      Oh no! No no no no no! I look like Darin's mom!

     Much, much better makeover. Cake is served!

       "So, still planning on being a big movie director?" Edward asks me. I don't call him Dad. He's always been Edward; that's how I've always known him.

       "Of course!" I take a bite as Edward sits down. "And I found the neatest house." Mom and Edward said they would buy me a house, which is awesome!

       "Where?" Aunt Bonnie asks as she walks over.

      I tell her, telling Mom too.

      Aunt Bonnie perks up like a cheerleader. "The house I'm buying is right next door! This is swell!"

      Mom gives Aunt Bonnie a look that I don't understand. Kind of annoyed.

      Aunt Bonnie looks at me. "Not that I'll be in your hair or anything, but that means you can come by and visit me any time you want!"

      Edward has his say. "She can come visit us any time she wants too."

      I turn to look at my step-dad. I've often felt that he's always wished he could be my dad. I don't remember my dad. I've seen pictures. I look nothing like him. But I will say that I might resemble Uncle Wilson, but really, I'm almost a carbon copy of Mom.

     "Anyway," I continue, "I really want this house. It's only 38k, and it comes furnished."

     "It's a great house," Aunt Bonnie adds.

     "And Michale likes it too." I like that he likes it.

     "So where's he going to live?"

     "Well, I figure we could share the master bedroom."

       Edward coughs. His cake tried to go down the wrong way.

       Mom looks at her plate. "That's not a good idea."

       "Oh, baloney, Mom. We're going to get married. Calm down before you start assuming the wrong thing."

       Edward can finally talk. "Has he asked you?"

       I turn my head. "Not yet. But he will."
       Mom continues, "And when you're married, then you live together."
       "Don't be such a square."
       Edward puts his fork down, and his voice grows stern. "It's not being 'square'! It's being mature and sensible."
       I stand up and throw my fork down on my plate. As I storm away to the water, I call out over my shoulder, "Just because you two fuddy-duddies waited, that doesn't mean I have to. Breaking news story: I'm an adult!"

     Aunt Bonnie later made me apologize, and Mom told me she disagreed with my decision but that she understood that I'm an adult. She told me I could always go back to them at a moment's notice. Then, we hugged.
      I'm ready to start my life.

     Tonight, it's just me. I'm calling Michale in the morning.

Uncomplicated 3.24: This is happening

Anastasia

     The morning of my wedding, I can't help but laugh at the Saturday Morning Edition's headline. Edward's sister Helen and Goneril Capp Marks have been violently fighting over the town cassanova, even though both women are married to other men. At least this takes the heat off Edward and me. No pun intended. The story of our wedding only made it to the third page. I guess we're just not that newsworthy anymore. About time.  

     I take a relieved breath and fold up the paper before setting it on the counter. Then, I think about what I have to do next. Well, I don't have to, but I feel like I should.

     I'm going to visit Luke's grave. I feel I owe it to him, especially today.

     After trying to keep it together, I break down. I'm so sad that he died, even though I always loved Edward. Luke said he loved me, and I had had his child. I understand Edward's reasoning behind pushing the two of us together. But... my heart belongs to Edward, and it always will. Still, knowing that this would really hurt Luke if he were alive today casts a small cloud over what should be the happiest day of my life.

     The long day drags on before it's finally time for the wedding. Edward and I booked the venue to have the wedding party start at 7pm.

     I chose a modest wedding dress. I'm not going to wear white, not even going to pretend at any kind of purity. Still, I love my dress.

      Edward makes a beeline for me when I get to the lot. "You look so beautiful," he says quietly.

      I want to tell him he's not supposed to see me until the ceremony, that it's bad luck. But then, other than the bathrooms, this is a completely open lot. I suppose he could've stayed in his house all day since it's right next door, but I can't blame him for wanting to see me. I've missed him all day.

     I can't speak, so I just hug him. I can't believe this day is finally happening.

     Mom arrives, hugs me, and goes to have a seat. Even after all these years, it's still strange to think that she's my mom. She was dead most of my childhood. In a very big way, I'm jealous of my sister Natasha.

     This lot was created for Mom and Dad's wedding, the first time I really acknowledged Edward's existence. Everyone has come a long way since then.

     The sun sets, and the moon rises. And Edward lightly holds my arm and tells me it's time.

     Serenity shows up in maternity attire.

     Helen shows up looking no different than last night when her apartment was set on fire. Edward is happy she came, seeing she's his only living relative. She brought her son by Joseph, who is around here somewhere. The son not Joseph.

    For most of the wedding and reception, people heckle Helen. I almost feel sorry for her. I know how it feels to be the butt of everyone's jokes, even though I know some of it was her fault. But that doesn't mean I wished this upon her.

     The wedding begins, and the Maker finds another thing yet that S3 has over S4: wedding guests actually sit in the seats provided.

     For some reason, Wren chooses to sit over in the reception area, sitting with her boyfriend. Edward tells me he doesn't trust the boy. I don't know whether to believe him or think he's nuts. He seems like a nice boy to me, and Wren really likes him. Yeah, he really beat up a boy a while ago for being lewd to her, but that might've done some good because I've heard nothing about anyone teasing her for anything again. But I do still agree to let Edward chaperone their dates.

Prepare for wedding pic spam:

     This man is finally my husband.

     And tonight is our night.

     We cut the cake, and the Maker finally gets a good picture of my sister Natasha. Looks like Dad's genetics win again.

     Edward and I have our first dance where it all began.

     Edward's nephew Gordon.

     Mom and Dad are still so very much in love.

     After many of the other guests have left, Mom and Dad still hang around. "I'm so proud of you, honey," Mom tells me as she gives me a hug.

     The paparazzi man behind her laughs. "Yeah. Finally, your child is no longer a bastard." He laughs again and walks away to leave.

     Edward stops him. "You watch your tongue! I'm sick you all writing whatever you please. If I see one negative word written about my wife, I'll have your job!"

     "Your wife had another man's child. Or have you forgotten that?" 

     "As far as I'm concerned, Wren is my daughter."

     "Don't kid yourself, Jones. You're nothing but a joke, a puffed-up peacock with a promiscuous sister and now a promiscuous wife. You're less than nothing."

     "You act as though I care what you have to say. But you'd do well to leave my family alone, and I'd better not read one. word." Edward looks dangerous.

     The paparazzi man doesn't agree with me, though, and he laughs in his face.

      The wedding reception lasts until dawn, and Edward happily takes us to what is now our room.

     I don't think I need to explain what's happening here.

      It's the day before her birthday, and Wren gets the drama club participation trophy.

      On the way back home, I have to stop by the side of the road. No. This can't be happening! I couldn't be preggers.

------------------------------------------------------------
Gossip:
-Just before the wedding, Ana got the eternally faithful moodlet. Yay to end on a happy note like that.
-Luke. Yes, Luke... sent them a wedding present in the mail. I guess you can send mail from the other side.
-Wren got the schmoozer trait. Distinguished director LTW.


I'm really going to miss this generation. I loved their tiny house. I loved the garden and how since Ana was a gardener, she had time to work in it. I also loved the story of this generation.

I'd told myself that I wouldn't move Wren out until Bonnie and Edward completed their lifetime wants. I changed Edward's to culinary librarian, taking advantage of his fast reader trait. He completed it in a matter of days. So, that's done. Bonnie also completed hers around the same time. So, it looks like we'll be moving when Wren ages up.

I can't remember if I rolled farmer on any of the other rolls. I did the rolls years ago and have them stored on my iPad.

At any rate, get ready for glitz and glam for Wren's roll! :)

Click here to go to 4.1