Ramblings of a Sim Addict

“Mom, have you seen the big, black duffle bag,” Tony called from his bedroom.

Roslynn stuck her head into his room and surveyed the mess of clothes, books and papers that surrounded his feet, “It is in our bedroom, but I can’t see how you know what to pack with all that clutter.”

“Ah mom, I know what I’m doing,” Tony said, flashing her a cocky smile, “I have a system.”

“I bet you do,” Roslynn laughed, backing out of the room. “Just remember to pack plenty of clothes, I don’t want you home every weekend with laundry.”

“What was that mom,” Tony joked, “you want me to make sure and save all my laundry for you to do?!?! You are the greatest, really.”

“Ha, ha,” Roslynn said, from the kitchen. “Just remember, your father is taking you to campus tonight, after Derek’s birthday party.”

“I’ll be ready,” Tony yelled to her.
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“Happy Birthday, to you,” the Malory family sang. Derek stood in the middle of the entire clan, starring at his cake, trying to decided what to wish for. After a few moments of deliberation, he sucked in his breathe and blew as hard as he could. The flames flickered and were quickly extinguished.

“Good job, little bro,” Tony said, patting Derek on the back. “Now it is time for you grow into the next stage of your life.”
The family stood silent and watched as the youngest Malory child aged into a teenager.

“My baby,” Roslynn said, threw her tears, “you’ve grown up into such a hand some young man.”

“Awww mom,” Derek protested, as Roslynn grasped his face and kissed his checks, “I’m not a baby anymore. Please stop kissing me.”

“Oh hush,” chided Roslynn, “let your old mom have her fun, just this once.”

“Well guys,” Thomas said, grabbing a suitcase, “I hate to break up the party, but Tony and I have to get going. I need to get him settled in tonight.”

“I’m losing my little boy,” Roslynn wailed, clinging tightly to her eldest son.

“Mom,” Tony said, patting Roslynn on the back, “I’ll be fine and I will be home to visit real soon. You won’t even have time to miss me.”

“I miss you all ready,” Roslynn sniffed, “but I knew this day would come. Just take care, study hard, call lots and behave yourself.”

“I will,” said Tony, pulling open the kitchen door. “You can trust me to do my best at college.”

“Goodbye, big bro,” Derek said, stepping around his mother, “don’t forget about me.”

“How could I forget about you,” Tony laughed, giving his little brother a bear hug. “Tell Anna I said goodbye, okay mom?”

“I will honey,” Roslynn said, as tears filled her eyes again. “I know she wanted to be here, but with her recent promotion to EMT, she couldn’t miss any training days.”

“Well, we said our official goodbyes last night,” said Tony, hugging Roslynn one last time, “but I want her to know I was thinking about her.”

“Let’s go, Anthony,” Thomas called from the sidewalk, “we need get on the road.”

“Coming dad,” Tony yelled back. “All right guys, love you both and I will call once I’m settled in.”

“Bye sweetie,” Roslynn whimpered, as she watched Tony run out to the waiting car.

She stood in the doorway for a few more minutes, watching the car drive down the street. Her oldest child was gone, she was proud of him for what he’d accomplished in high school, but would miss having him around the house. He would be back home soon, she thought to herself, I know he will be the one to stay here and raise his family in the Malory home.