Ramblings of a Sim Addict

The cool air had an immediate calming affect on Derek’s nerves, but his anger was still bubbling. He wasn’t a screw-up. He wasn’t going to disappoint his family; he just needed a little time and understanding. I’m trying to find my own way, he said to himself, as he feet pounded the pavement, and I’m going to be successful.

The tiny coffee shop he’d spent most afternoons in, rapidly came into view. He slowed his pace down and decided to stop there for a quick breather. The room was stifling. There were bodies jammed into every corner and voices full of laughter rang out around the shop. Derek smiled happily to himself, he loved crowds and this was just the environment he needed to forget his troubles.

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The afternoon sun was starting set, as Tony stared out the window, watching for the return of his younger brother. Derek had only been at university for a few weeks, but had all ready managed to miss most of his classes. Tony was quite disappointed. He knew his brother had an affection for the fairer sex, but had hoped the importance of grades would make him straighten up; apparently he’d been wrong.
A beaten, battered old car chugged up the road, Tony ducked down behind the ply wood bookcase he’d fabricated, so Derek wouldn’t see him spying.

“Oh Derek, that was a wonderful little cafe,” Tuulia sang out, “I’m so glad you took me there.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” Derek said grinning, “now come over here and give me some sugar.”

“Well, you better be on your way, Tuulia, I don’t want you to be late to your next class.”

“Are you going to call me tomorrow,” Tuulia said, with big puppy dog eyes. “I was hoping we could hit a club downtown.”

“Oh baby, I really need to start concentrating a bit on my classes; otherwise, I am going to be placed on probation. We need to take a little break, just for a few weeks.”

“But Derek,” Tuulia said with tears in her eyes, “I thought everything was going so good between us. I’ve had a terrific time with you. I thought you cared about me.”

“Don’t cry, I’m not saying we’ll never see each other again, I just need a short break. The ‘rents will kill me if I get kicked out of school, okay.”

“Okay,” she sniffled, “but you’ll call me the minute you want to go out again.”

“Of course,” Derek said, patting Tuulia’s arm, “now drive home safe and make sure to get yourself to class. I don’t want to be responsible for you getting kicked out either.”
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“Tony is going to be graduating in a few weeks,” Anna said to Ramin, “he invited me to a party at his house. I’d love to go, but I know it would just cause another huge fight and I don’t want to ruin his big day.”

“I think you should go, Tony’s your brother and he’d love for you to be there.”

Anna sighed and plopped herself down on the bed, “Mom will be there, though and she won’t be happy to see me, especially in my condition.”

“You honestly think she’ll be upset about the baby,” Ramin said, sitting down next to her, “she must want grandchildren.”

“Of course she does, but she’s still angry at me for dropping out of college. I think showing up and being pregnant, will just confirm her worst fears.”

“Well, she should have known that you would become pregnant sooner or later. We are married after all and you’ve always wanted a family of your very own.”

“I know,” Anna said taking a deep breathe, “but I never told her that. I was different in high school, because I didn’t have many friends, so I pushed myself into studying. Mom loved that, she was proud of my work ethic, so I just never felt compelled to share with her how much I wanted to get married and have kids; now its too late.”

“Anna, its never too late. I think you should go to the party and talk to her, make her see the new you.”

“Ramin, I love you, but you just don’t understand,” Anna said, reaching for him. “Let me handle the situation in my own way, I know things will work out over time.”

“I don’t see how,” said Ramin, wrapping his arms around his wife, “since both of you are so stubborn, but I’ll let you handle it.”

“Thank you,” Anna smiled, “now stop talking and come here.”

“Mr. Malory, get your butt out of the kitchen and off to class,” Mrs. O’Cleary, the aging lunchlady said. “I don’t want you losing any scholarship money on account of your working here.”

“But Mrs. O’Cleary, the lunch rush will be starting soon,” Tony said in protest, “I don’t want to leave you short handed. Plus today’s class is nothing but a review, I won’t be missing anything important.”

“Listen here young man, I’ve been running this cafeteria longer then you’ve been walking the earth; I can handle any sort of rush that comes my way,” Mrs. O’Cleary said, stirring a big pot of macaroni and cheese. “And an extra review can’t hurt you come time for the final exam. Now get your butt in gear before I personally kick it out the door.”

Tony smiled and laughed to himself, he appreciated having someone outside his family take such an interest in his well being. “All right fine, but don’t complain to me if you get bogged down with hungry students.”

“You won’t hear me complain, Mr. Malory, unless you are late for your class; get a move on.”

“There’s no point in arguing with you,” Tony said with a smile on his lips, “I’ll be back in a couple hours to help you clean up.”

“That’ll be fine. Study hard, so you can get that scholarship money and rent that little house you keep going on about.”

“I will try my best,” Tony said, as he took off apron and headed out the door.
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A cold chill ran through the cozy kitchen, as Roslynn slowly poured boiling water into a cup of tea and pulled out a chair. “Your home late,” she said, as Thomas stomped through the door, “long day at the bakery?”

“Yes,” he said wearily, “long, but rewarding. Things are finally starting to come together, though. I hope to have our grand opening soon.”

“Well good,” Roslynn sighed slightly, “I’m glad that everything is working out.” She stared down at her cooling tea and took a long, deep breathe, “Tony called this morning, he had some wonderful news.”

“What’s that,” said Thomas, clanking through the cupboards, looking for another cup.

“He asked Dagmar to marry him last night and she accepted,” Roslynn said, turning her eyes onto Thomas. “Another one of our children is getting married, but at least he will finish his education first.”

“Oh dear,” Thomas said shaking his head, “you have to get over your anger. Anna is your daughter and you love her.”

“I just can’t right now,” Roslynn said, rising from the kitchen table. “She’s given up everything and she hasn’t even let us meet this Ramin fellow.”

Thomas put his cup on the kitchen table and grasped his wife’s trembling shoulders, “Ros, I know you don’t approve, but she has made her decision and you need to accept it; that’s the only way she will ever bring Ramin here to meet us.”

“I just want my baby back,” Roslynn said through tears.

“I know,” said Thomas, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I want that, too.”
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