Dad's autobiography

Read more Stories on The Sims3.com >

So my dad's autobiography is out, kind of. I'm not entirely sure how to feel about it. The fact that it's out scares me, as much as the fact that he's writing it.
There are some things in it I didn't know, for sure. It surprised me that he actually watched grandpa die. That had to have a big impact on him. Also about grandma, it sounds to me like grandma wanted him to be a doctor or something like she was.
I also didn't know about Noah's childhood and teenage years. I didn't realize he'd misbehaved. Dad didn't talk about Noah's youth much. I guess this was why.

Me and Dad

When I got home I told the first person I thought about. Dad.
He'd been in his study, putting the finishing touches on his memoir (due out soon, I'm not sure how I feel about it) when I'd walked in.
"Hiya, princess," he greeted me, smiling broadly. "How was your day? You seem like you're in a good mood."
Good mood? I was practically floating on air. The last few weeks since I've been back from France have been a whirlwind.

"Princess, I'm so happy for you I could just burst! Andrew is the right person to take over for me."

What did he mean by that, take over for me? Sometimes my dad speaks in riddles. After all this time, I still need a refresher course in dad-speak.

"Whatever you want, princess --" By this time dad was sobbing. I'd never actually seen him cry before. It was weird seeing it.

No words needed

Random post

My babies are coming home with me after all. That pic was taken in Egypt, believe it or not.

I am going to love them and care for them and protect them like they need to be protected and loved and cared for.

The next step is to arrange the trip to bring them home for good.

It's times like these when I realize Neil is definitely a Plumb.

Just this morning I caught him with his hand in the cookie jar, quite literally. Noah taught him well on that point, I guess. Can't believe his birthday is in a few simdays. Incredible.

Telling Andy

I knew immediately what I had to do. I had to tell Andy.

So right after I got off the phone with Marc, I hopped on my scooter to his place to tell him.

I noticed a distinct difference in his language and attitude since we started dating. Instead of referring to me as "Plumbbob" or some other smart-alecky name he calles me stuff like "Peaches and Cream" and "Emerald Eyes."
The "emerald eyes" one really gets me. When I was younger I hated being the only person in my family with green eyes. I started feeling better about them when I learned they came from my dad's Irish relatives. I actually think a few of mom's folks had them too.

"Remember I told you that I put in to adopt two kids from Egypt right?"

"Yeah."

"Well I just got a call from the head of the commission."

"They approved you?"
"If that's what Mr. Wasem meant by clearing customs, that's what he said."

Cheesebreath had a strange reaction. He laughed.

"What's funny?" I asked.

"I'm just -- I don't know -- dumbfounded."

"You have to meet these kids, they're fabulous. They deserve a better life, and I can give them that life."
"No, I'm not talking about the children. I'm wondering about you. Have -- have you given this any thought?"

"I've sure had plenty of time to think about it. I put in the application the second time I went to Egypt."

He laughed again.

"You're incredible."

Nothing special about me, I told him. "It's just the right thing to do. If I don't follow through on this I won't be able to live with myself."
I decided I needed to fill him in on the situation with the kids, about their abusive, controlling, greedy father and why their biological parents are separated.

"We're going to raise these children."

"We?"

"Yes, you and I. We're going to raise these children. Together."

Big news

I was coming home from the cemetery when the phone rang.

It was Marc Wasem.

Yes, THAT Marc Wasem. From the adoption commission.

"Dr. Plumb, your adoption request has been approved."

Approved? You mean...

"Yes, I mean, once the children clear customs, you can come and pick them up."

They're MINEEEEE?

I wasn't sure how to feel about this development. I mean, I've waited so long, I was afraid the kids would be grown before this cleared.

You know what this meant.

I needed to arrange a trip to Egypt ASAP. But this time, I'm likely going to have Andy with me.

Hidden treasures

On Friday, Andy and I took a road trip. "C'mon, I want to show you someplace."

We went to this little fishing hole behind the stadium called Crystal Springs. "I used to come here all the time."

"Andy," I whispered, "I'm not dressed for fishing!"

"No matter, we're going to have a blast."

So there I was, climbing the hills behind the stadium -- in my heeled boots. I'm an avid climber but not in boots.

'"So, why do you come here?"
"To think, mainly."

"Think?"
"Yup, and it's very relaxing too."
"Oh."
"Don't you have a 'special' place you like to go to.... to do nothing in particular but.... think .. and stuff?"

"Well, there is this little solitude island we put in the pool."
"I'm talking about besides somewhere on the compound."




"I like going to the cemetery. I used to disappear to there a lot during mom's orchestra parties."



"So, what do you think of this place?"
"I never knew Sunset Valley could be so beautiful."
"Don't tell me you've never been here."
I... hadn't... been there.
I mean when I was little I used to fish up at Pinocle Point but I didn't know there was another fishing hole beyond the stadium.
"You were born here, you should know everything there is to know about this town."
Suffice it to say... I... don't. I don't think I do.



I didn't have the best day fishing, caught a couple goldfish, a red herring and a birthday cake (!). But I can't say I've done it in awhile.

Bassy

Bassy got himself into trouble last night. He managed to get caught breaking curfew.
I'd recognize mom's look anywhere. "Sebastian Ryan Plumb, I'm very disappointed in you."
"What for?"
"Where have you been?"
"At the theater."
"No, you weren't. I called and you weren't there. You left at nine, which left three whole hours to play with as it's midnight. Look at me!"
Bassy didn't answer. But I could very well have answered for him.
"Don't you give me that little smirk."
He couldn't charm his way out of this one, could he?

I was working late at the cemetery.

I know the truth. I know where he was.

He went there with Daisy.

But I daren't not tell that to mom.

Of course, she did the same thing to him as she did to me -- she took his car away and grounded him.

Ari

I ran into Ari again at the diner that evening on my way home from the cemetery. And wow, did SHE look different. "Shopping at Judy's again?"

"Come on, Van, you know I wouldn't touch that place with a ten foot pole. Those prices are off the chart. That's YOUR taste."

"I like your hair."

"Oh this old rag? You know we like to have our extensions. Not everybody can have long blond hair like you." She laughed. "Would it kill you to have YOUR hair done?"

"Guess what?" I told her about my visit with Cheesebreath the other day.
"Noooooo!" she exclaimed. "No freakin' way. You finally saw the writing on the wall."
"What writing on what wall?"
"Vanna, it's been SOOO obvious. Andrew has been after you since high school. Did he really have to wear a neon sign on his head saying 'I love you' for you to get it? You know he would treat you like the queen you think you are." She then changed the subject. "Have you heard from Gustave?"
"Not since I came back. And to be quite honest, I haven't really thought about him."
"Really."
"For some reason... I don't know ... I like him but ... I don't know, I mean, it's not like I'm a commitment phobe or anything."
"You sure act like one. You know, Savannah, for someone who professes to want a relationship, the minute something comes along, you're running like a deer."
"Look who's talking!" I shot back. "I'd like to know where your boyfriend is, since you know so much about my life."
"True, but I'm not the one moaning about it." Ari took a deep breath. "That's your MO, right, for someone who says she's so brave and fearless, the minute things get tough, you take off running. You should have been a track star instead of an adventurer."

The day after

The morning after was like any other at Casa Plumb. Except I slept in.

Meanwhile, downstairs Bassy and Neil were putting their finishing touches on their homework. I can't believe both of them will be graduating soon. Wow.

Time really does fly.

The other thing that's happened is that Dad finally went back to work on his memoir, Confessions of a Farm Boy. I'm not entirely sure what prompted him to do it, but I'm guessing Noah's birthday party had a little something to do with it. I haven't read everything that's in it, and I know -- even from the revelation about Billy -- that he's kept back quite a few things.

Neil rode home with quite possibly the one girl that's more screwed up than he is. I think she's Debbie Thornberry and her parents do some kind of wildlife nature show. That girl has a MAJOR chip on her shoulder.

Meanwhile, Bassy's been spending his spare time in the recording studio and strumming a few bars in the park in front of disbelieving audiences. I'm having a hard time believing that his album is about to come out. When I was his age I was spending my time in the back seat of cop cars, without a clue what I wanted out of life, so he's ahead of me there.

Thing is, though he loves music, he's not obsessed with it 24-7 like dad is. He likes computer games, too, and cartoons, and comic books. Oh, and girls. I know of at least four different girls that he talks to on a regular basis.

An unscheduled stop Part 3

You can guess what happened next.

Hello?!? I'm not THAT kind of girl.

Cheesebutt's tongue, meet my mouth.

He wasn't as clumsy with it as I thought he'd be, either.

And I have to admit, it felt good. It felt right.

It was supposed to be.

A brother, a sister-in-law, and a boyfriend? What a day.

An unscheduled stop Part 2

"Savannah, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"Us. You and I."
"There is no 'us', Andy."
"Ah, but there is. And you cannot deny it any longer. There has been an 'us' since the day we met. I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna be a little bug in your ear everywhere you go."
If you ask me, he's been just that already -- always THERE, you know?

"Andy, I'm flattered, but --"

"There is no 'but' about it. I wish you'd stop trying to make sense. Life doesn't make sense, half of the time. Certainly love doesn't. "

He was right about that, that's for sure. I mean, come on, I'd be with anybody -- but Andy??? He's so -- solid -- and -- stable.
Old Reliable.

Mr. Dependable.

Just exactly who my parents would WANT me with.

Had I -- completely and totally -- run out of options? Had Cheesebutt managed to back me into a corner? I know I'm not that kind of woman, but I'm not the other kind of woman either. At least I don't think I am.

Before I realized it he was embracing me with his strong arms. I could feel his muscles, he'd clearly been working out. He was no longer the scrawny kid he was when we first met.

I could no longer deny that he was VERY good looking. He wasn't some pimply fat guy on a string.

Hazel eyes, russet-colored hair, killer abs, a sweet smile.

What am I thinking? This is Cheesebutt I'm talking about. Ew.

Take a gun out and shoot me down, please. I'm not thinking clearly.

Maybe I am, for the first time.

An unscheduled stop Part 1

On my way back to Summer Hill, since I was in the area I decided to make another stop.

"What are you doing here, Plumbbob?" Cheesebutt asked. "Certainly you're not getting ready to visit your -- friend -- in France."

"How'd you hear about that?"

"Gossip travels fast. Especially when it's about Nathan Plumb's daughter." Cheesebreath's tone made me wonder -- did I detect jealousy there?

I love my dad to death but I hate this aspect of his life.

I decided to change the subject. "What's the name of the band?"

"It's certainly not Bach, for sure," he croaked, "or even your dad."

"Very funny. It's a techno band. Contrary to what you think, I don't always have Beethoven blaring from my car stereo."

"You're not very good at sarcasm, Savannah."

"What?"

"I can see you grinning from here."

I needed that laugh, even more than I knew at the time. Especially after Windy Tripp's brush-off.

"Something bothering you?" he asked.

I told him. Everything.

One aspect of him I've overlooked is the fact that he's so easy to talk to.

"You know, Savannah, I know you're not exactly the most patient Sim, but I feel you should try to give both Windy and Billy time to adjust. They just got married, and now Billy's finding out about his family. It's not easy. They're probably going to come around but it's going to take time."

"How do you know?"

Cheesebreath then told me he'd been adopted.

"I have no idea who my birth parents are. All I remember was being in an orphanage somewhere and then I was adopted. My adoptive mother passed away recently and I'm not even sure where to begin looking for my birth parents."

Learning he was adopted sent a knife through my heart, really. I realized at that time how good I really had it.

"So I completely understand about Billy. He's reaching out to the family. I think you should try to put yourself in his shoes and give him all the time he needs."

New family members

I arrived at Billy Tripp's place at noon. He was sharply dressed in a business suit. It took him a bit to realize who I was.

"Hello, Savannah," he began. "I only have a little bit of time before I have to go to work, so we have to make this quick."

"So, I guess congratulations are in order."
"What do you mean?" Billy asked me. 

"I heard, you and Windy got married."
"Oh yeah, we just decided to go ahead and do the thing, ya know?"
I let out a chuckle. 

Then Windy came out.  She didn't look at all pleased I was there.  "Well, if it isn't Ms. Perfect."
"Win, I didn't come for any of that.  Congratulations on the wedding and the baby." 
Windy seemed surprised.  "Thanks."
"We ARE family now."  Then, I decided to come out with it.  "You have a nephew."
"A nephew?"
"His name is Neil, and he needs you."
"Sadie didn't --"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure she did.  There was a birth announcement in the paper awhile back." I took a deep breath.  "He's a teenager now.  He needs you.  You're as much his auntie as I am.  Do you know where he lives?"
"With Sadie and Noah right?"
"No.  He lives with me.  He had a few problems in school."
Windy let out a deep sigh.  "Right.  Ms. Goody Two Shoes."

It was ironic that someone was accusing ME of being a goody two shoes. 

“I don’t understand why you’re so angry with me, Windy.”

“Why are you even here?  It can’t just be to offer congratulations.”

“Billy is my brother, Windy.  We’re family.  If you didn’t know that, you know now.”

Surprise phone call

Dad slept with Neil that night, because he rolled out of Neil's bed the next morning. I asked him about it, and he said Neil had a nightmare. I have no idea what that kid saw next door, but it can't be too good.

Meanwhile, I was chillin' out with Survivor Twikkii Island. I'm totally convinced Jessica Knight is going to win. To be totally honest, I'd cream all those girls. But I don't need to prove my survivalist bonafides on a TV show.

They were in the middle of eliminating Jeffrey when the phone rang. Apparently Billy Tripp wanted to see me.

You're not familiar with Billy Tripp, are you? Neither am I, really. We know about each other. But I can't say we have a relationship. I'm not sure why he's wanting to talk to me, though. I guess I get to find out.