Matisse – A Wish for a PromotionWhile we were visiting other households, Ulrike had her baby – a boy named Colin.
One evening, the Watcher summoned Rafe from his bed.
Watcher: It's time for your next wish.
Rafe gave Ulrike a hug, took a last look at his sleeping son, and hurried out into the night.
Later...
Rafe: After all that, you didn't get a picture?
Watcher: I was afraid you might get too angry. I wanted to make sure I'd get you to the mirror to calm yourself down.
Rafe: Here I spend all this money to put the Well in a good mood, and I get demoted, and you don't even get a picture. What kind of Watcher are you?
Watcher: Now, now, you'll get back to your position in no time. You just have to make sure you're feeling inspired while at work. Doing yoga will help.
Watcher: Happiness helps, too, so you and Ulrike can keep renewing your wedding vows. Going on an occasional date is also a good idea.
Rafe: Oh, so you're a marriage counselor now?
Watcher: Are you complaining?
Rafe: Not really. Go away.
Having regular meetings of The Impressionables gave a final boost. Besides providing a way for Rafe to complete his paintings, he was also able to pick up the "networked" club perk. By the end of the week, he'd been promoted back to his previous position, and also promoted to Canvas Creator. There was an added bonus to the meetings – they seemed to increase the likelihood of masterpieces. Rafe produced this picture of hollyhocks:
And Ulrike painted another masterpiece of delphiniums.
Meanwhile, Colin became a child.
Colin: I like cake!
Colin also likes digging up things outdoors...
...along with being read to by his father.
The dollhouse in his room was replaced with a chemistry set so that he could achieve the Whiz Kid aspiration.
Colin: And also so I can make health potions to use when I go fishing. Which I haven't done yet, Watcher.
Watcher: Next week.
It is time to pay some attention to the helper in this dynasty. Maaike's novels have been steadily becoming more lucrative, bringing in nearly $1000 a day. But she's also helped out with Colin, playing chess with him before Rafe and Ulrike get home from work.
And reading to him from
The First Unicorn even though Colin isn't always appreciative.
Colin: Unicorn stories are for girls.
Despite a heavy schedule of writing and baby-sitting...
Colin: I don't need a babysitter...
Maaike does find some time for yoga.
Ulrike is busy, too. Her favorite form of relaxation is watching movies. [/i]Lost Dog's Journey Home[/i] is the one she enjoys most.
Colin: I think I'd rather have a dog than a cat. Can we get a puppy, Watcher?
Watcher: Probably not before you become an elder.
We'll leave you with another of Ulrike's masterpieces, this one of Colin playing chess.
