Chapter 2.7: Lost Time

To celebrate his promotion to Hit Movie Composer Claude does housework. He thinks nothing of walking into his daughter and son in law's bedroom while they are in bed. Doing the laundry is far more important than privacy.

He promptly breaks the washing machine and leaves it for Michael to fix. Claude is smart enough to recognize a dangerous situation when he sees one.

No one wants to miss Vera's birthday. Amira charges into her daughter's bedroom.

Michael follows on Amira's heels.
"Did I miss it?" he asks while gasping for breath.

"What is that smell? Is there a pile of rotten trash in here?"
Nope. It's just his toddler reeking to high heaven.

Amira runs off to work.
"I love you!" she calls as she rushes out the door.
They are still like two ships passing in the night. Michael cuddles with Vera and wonders if they'll ever have time to just be a family.

When Vera finally goes down for a nap, Michael tackles the broken washer. First he mops up all the excess water. No need to tempt fate.

Someone lets Vera out of her crib and she starts playing with Peaches. No one knows where the toy came from. The note said it came from Grandma's second cousin Bertha but no one knows of this sim. Not on Varinia's side, considering she has no relations in Twinbrook, let alone in this time stream. There's a possibility it's come from Lolly's side of the family but she swears she doesn't have a second cousin Bertha. Certainly odd!

Michael is so tired of fixing everything. Toilets, showers, radios, sinks and now washing machines. He can't remember the last time he just sat and played a video game. It's making him grumpy. He lets the suds wash over his face in an attempt to relieve his utter boredom at this task.

Finally done. Michael congratulates himself on a successful repair and not electrocuting himself.
"Way to go," he mutters.

With Amira at work late into the night, Michael does his best to care for Vera's needs.

"Goodnight, nooboo."

Vera is not the best sleeper. Luckily, she is able to entertain herself until she finally passes out. Michael is ready to finally clean up after his day. Watching a young child is an arduous task.

Amira returns from work with certain things on her mind. Michael is not about to deny his wife. They have to try to keep the spark alive somehow.

The following evening the family visits Selma's home. She recently announced that she was pregnant with her second child.
"I hope she has dinner ready," Claude says. "I'm starving!"

Just a couple of nerds making silly faces at each other.

"So a second baby? Did you and Morgan plan it or just stop using protection? I think I want another one but Vera still seems so young. I feel like I never get to spend time with her or Michael, really."

"If you think of it in those terms, then you'll never have another one," Selma says. "We weren't actively trying to have another baby but we didn't stop it either. Now, here we are and we couldn't be happier."

"But what about little Jess?"

"What about him? He gets to grow up with a sibling that will always love him. I wouldn't dream of denying him that experience. We come from a big family, you should know how influential siblings are. There's six of us for crying out loud!"

Amira chuckles, "That's true. Never a dull moment in our house growing up."

When the family arrives back home Claude mysteriously disappears. He's drawn to the backyard compelled to investigate a mysterious anomaly. The colored lights dance in the night sky.

What could these lights be? Where are they coming from? He thinks to himself.

A spotlight appears suddenly and then Claude feels his stomach lurch as he loses his balance. He tips forward and yelps. He can see his feet barely touching the grass.
"Help!" he yells.
Before he can say anything else his mind goes blank.

Claude comes to several hours later. He's standing by the side of the road that runs just past his backyard. He's so disoriented that he doesn't even notice the strange being standing just behind him.

Meanwhile, Varina bonds with her granddaughter. She doesn't question when Claude disappears into the back yard. he spends a lot of time fussing with his telescope.

"That's it, nooboo!"
Vera is both exhilarated and terrified.

When Claude finally returns home, still hazy, he finds Varina in the shower. He wants to curl up and sleep.

Instead he jumps into the shower with his wife. Feeling her soft skin makes him feel better.