Gen 4: Chapter Five

I walk into the kitchen to find Rissa at the stove.
Dameon: Mmmm! Something smells good in here.
Charissa: It's just plain old Mac and Cheese. It should be ready shortly. How are the boys?

 Dameon: Gabe's sleeping but Juan is still having some tummy trouble. Granddad offered to walk him while we eat.

Rissa was about to say something else when her phone went off. She mouthed that it was her father calling.

I stood to the side as I unashamedly listened in.
Charissa: Hi, Dad. Oh, about to eat dinner. What are you up to? Uh huh. Oh. Yea.
I started to get bored. I was about to check on the mac when I heard a change in Rissa's voice.

Charissa: Daddy, don't say such things. Momma would never do that. It's just your imagination. You know what I think? I think she is putting hours in at the hospital even though you asked her not to. Yeah, it does make more sense.
Rissa started to laugh.
Charissa: OK, Dad. Love you too. Bye.
She hung up the phone and put it back into her pocket.
Dameon: What was that all about?
Charissa: I'll tell you later. DAMEON! You let my mac burn!

 Dameon: Can you say "Dad-dy"?
Rissa and I decided to sit down with the boys and teach them some word basics. So far, the boys are both resisting.
Dameon: Juan. Juan, look at Daddy?
Charissa: Maybe we should try something else.

I look over at Rissa. She has started clapping out the words to Gabe.
Charissa: He said fish, Honey! He said fish!
Funny, how exciting it is to hear your son say such a simple word. I follow Rissa's example and do the same with Juan. I hang my head as Juan wonders off to the toy box.
 

Charissa: Aren't they so sweet?
I stand up and dust off my pants.
Charissa: They grew up so fast, Dameon. I wonder ...
She paused and looked up at me.
Charissa: Maybe we should try for a little girl?
My head began to spin. Our house was so full already and with Rissa's fertility, we could wind up with triplets!
Dameon: We can ... talk about it.

I walked out the boys room in time to see Rachel running out the door. She seems to be adjusting well to prep school. She has even been invited to a friend's house this weekend. I hope all goes well with that.

And the vet just confirmed that Angel IS pregnant. Rascal will be a proud Papa very soon. I watch as the two dogs nuzzle. It made me think about Rissa asking for another child. I shook my head as I started getting ready for the day.

Dameon: But I thought everyone was eligible to join the SimFest?
Becky: But you are arriving so late.

Becky: I already have a magician act. She has some really great tricks. Maybe you can learn a thing or two from her.
I can feel my face turning red. Not just from embarrassment, but from frustration. This is the second time I have been turned down for a gig today. I sullenly walk over to the stage to see what this girl had to offer.


She is doing my tricks!
Dameon: Boooo!
I can't help myself. I know that getting heckled can throw off your routine. I hope my yelling made her drop her hat. How can I compete in a town full of talent just like mine?
Unknown Male: Man, that girl is good! I wished they had shows like this in Sunset Valley.
  An idea formed in my head. I, of course, need to talk things over with Rissa. But maybe going out of town might just work.

I come home to hear raised voices in the boys room. Was that Rissa?

Charissa: Haven't you ruined enough lives?!
Miguel: Charissa, listen. There are things you don't understand. Besides, I broke it off already.
Charissa: And you think that makes it better? My parents might get divorced. DIVORCED! After almost forty years of marriage. Why do you have to be such a selfish prick?
I don't know what to think. My father has been having an affair with Shirley? But she hates his guts ... and mine.

Miguel: I don't expect any of you will understand.
Rissa turns and puts Gabe on the floor and hands him a bottle. Dad slowly shakes his head.
Miguel: Women have always been my downfall. I can't seem to resist them. But when The Watcher showed me my second chance with Rachel, I've tried to do better. Even got rid of Dina because she isn't the type of woman I want my girl looking up to. I think I am just meant to fail.

 I watch my father leave the room in silence. Rissa turns to me. No words are spoken but I understand her heart. I envelope her in a hug meant to console.
Dameon: Everything will be alright. You'll see.

Dameon: With everything that happened earlier, I forgot to talk to you about something.
Charissa: What is it, Honey?
Dameon: I want to travel to Sunset Valley to do a live show. It will boost my standings and hopefully help me get more gigs here in town.
I hear her sigh as she stares at her hands. Leaving now will make it hard for her. But I am hoping it will pay off in the long run.

Charissa: What if some woman tries to take advantage of you?
I can tell by her smile that she is teasing me. I grab her and nibble playfully on her neck.
Dameon: Oh, I think I might be able to fend her off.
We both laugh then settle into a comfortable silence.
Dameon: Are you sure this is OK?

She says nothing but pulls my head down to her lips. As her arms go around me, I sink deeper into the kiss. As the passion flames between us, a part of my mind recalls her request for another child....

The taxi showed up at exactly eight in the morning. I kissed everyone goodbye and headed out.

It was for only two days. I didn't foresee anything drastic happening.

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Charissa: I appreciate you helping me out while Dameon is gone.
Julio: No problem. It's not a chore helping out with my great grandsons.  Come on big guy, in you go.

 Charissa: You think I am terrible for yelling at Miguel the way I did yesterday, don't you?
Julio: I don't judge. That is for The Watcher to do. I merely exist. But ...
Charissa: But what? You think I should apologize to HIM for saying those things when HE'S the one who screwed up?
Julio: I said nothing of the sort. I ... did you hear that?
Charissa: I didn't hear anything. Rachel's at Maria's house and Miguel has been in bed all day.
Julio: MIGUEL!

Julio: No, no, no, no! Miguel!

Julio: The stress. It must have been too much for him.
Charissa: Oh Watcher, did I cause this? I.. I can't think. I have to call Dameon!

...

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 The phone call came in right after my performance. I was shocked. But I made it home in one piece. Granddad was tore up and went out into the night to only The Watcher knows where. He is in bed now that the sun is up. Rissa is strangely silent. I think she blames herself for my father's death.
Dameon: I'm going to put Juan in the nursery then go check on Rachel. OK?
Charissa: That's fine.

Rachel: Life's just so UNFAIR! Dad promised to take me to my first football game. And he was going to help me earn my gardening badge. And ...and... I can't stand being in this house anymore.
I watch as Rachel dissolves into tears. I try to pat her back but she shrugs me off.
Rachel: I want to go to Smuggsworth.
I am caught off guard at her declaration.

 Dameon: Rach, I know you are hurting right now. And leaving here for a bit might not be a bad idea. But let's give it time and think about things. I'm not saying no, I'm saying wait. Can you do that?
She nods her head slowly. Suddenly, she falls into my arms and begins to sob. Her cries bring out my own. I slide to the floor and lean against her dresser, cradling Rach against my chest. Time ceased to exist as we held onto each other and mourned.