1.2 - A Desire for CompanionshipAfter a few quiet days in Appaloosa Plains, I had settled in very nicely. My day to day life was serene and completely carefree. But life can only stay quiet for but so long. And let me tell you, things took a total U-turn all at once. For one, I was gradually having a harder time sleeping. No one knows better than I that my bed is nothing more than some metal springs and an old mattress, but it wasn't the cause of my sleeping issues (It was quite comfy, actually). I was having nightmares. I don't know what would cause them but I kept seeing
her face. That smirk, the sight of her waving her hand in the direction of unsuspecting Sims, the image of them crumpling to the ground...another body added to the graveyard. Every night I'd toss and turn as my unconscious self was overrun with nightmares. And almost every night I woke up in tears.
I was miserable. After a while I just gave up on the venture all together. And, unfortunately, it affected my work. I finished my first book, 'The Dream' (the title really had nothing to do with what I was going through with my sleeping habits, I swear. Purely by chance), but it was a flop, bringing in a little under 145 Simoleons in royalties. The amount of defeat I felt was immeasurable. Out of pity, the librarian put a copy of it on the 'New Releases' shelf, but it was off of there and in the Non-Fiction section within days, never to be touched again. That kind librarian gave me a smile and reassured me things would look up. 'Monte Vista wasn't built in a day', she'd say.
The publishing company dropped me and I decided to think up a pseudo-name to write under. Because if I wrote another book with the name 'Delacour' attached to it after my flop, no one would buy it. At the gym, I tossed names around in my head as I showered. I stepped out, toweled off and dressed again, then left the locker room---and that, SimNation, is when I saw him.
Ask me today what I was thinking that day my feet moved on their own accord towards that man. I wouldn't be able to answer you, as I still have no recollection of where my brain was that day or how it rationalized my next few actions. Because none of them were right. I should have turned around and went back to the library, but how was I to know what was going to ensue by interacting with this man? I didn't. So of course I didn't stop myself from approaching him.
"Scorpio." He said as our conversations shifted from icebreakers to a little more indepth, or at least as indepth as you would consider finding out what each other's signs were, "I guess that means we're compatible."
I laughed, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. I felt a bit like a girl in high school talking to that tall, handsome jock who never gave me the time of day before now, "I don't really follow that astrology type thing, but whatever you say...um?"
"Shawnee. Shawnee Fox."
I nodded a bit, "Shawnee. It's cute. I like that." Honestly, I did. It wasn't a name one would expect such a muscular looking man to have. Later in life, I decided it was a reflection of the softer personality that was in him and a stark contrast to his exterior. But at the time, I just thought he was a cute man with a cute name.
Shawnee laughed lightly, shrugging a bit, "I'm glad someone does. Usually I just go by Shawn."
"Well, I'll call you Shawnee. It's different."
"I think...just maybe...I'll
let you do that."
The soft chuckles that left his lips made my stomach turn over. Our conversation was effortless and went on for what felt like days. It was so easy to talk to him. I revealed to him that I was from Sunset Valley and was looking for a new start, along with my writing ventures.
"Oh, you wrote 'The Dream'? Really? I didn't know the author lived right in town." He smiled at me, "I read it."
I felt a very strong urge to puke. A great first impression there! The perfect man, who also happens to be a Bookworm like myself, read my flop of a book. But he caught me by surprise with his words.
"It was good. Uplifting....And you're writing was great. There's always room for improvement, but for your first novel? I'd say that was an A+ effort" I felt my cheeks flush red---he liked my book! HE LIKED MY BOOK. A scream was moving it's way up my throat and was begging to escape, but I didn't want to scare Shawnee away. And a high-pitched scream in his face would likely do that. The red of my cheeks faded away when I felt something cold and wet poke at the back of my leg.
Now, I knew the town was pet friendly, but I had no idea that they were allowed inside buildings. The fluffy dog looked up at me with an inquisitive look, almost like he was studying me. And then...then he barked. And I jumped five feet in the air. Shawnee laughed at the two of us and knelt down.
"Ahh, be nice, Shep. This is Giselle. She's a new friend of ours."
If there hadn't been a weight lifting machine behind me, I likely would have passed out on the spot. A bookworm with a dog? A bookworm with a dog who liked my book and with whome I had so many little things in common---tv shows, favorite foods, favorite music, colors, styles---
"Giselle, this is Shep. My wife found him when he was just a little puppy, just barely able to walk."
I almost passed out. I felt like someone had snatched the floor out from beneath me. He was married. This perfect man was
married. Who was his wife? Had I met her? And how did she get to him before me? Call it a little dramatic, but my head was spinning. Between nightmares, horrible writing, and a cold shack I had no choice but to call home, I couldn't bear the thought of more rejection. It was cruel. It wasn't fair! Couldn't I have something good? Didn't I deserve it?
In my sleepless delirium, I found myself inching closer and closer to him. And before I could stop myself.
I gasped as I pulled away. So did Shawnee.
"I'm---I---" I stammered, quickly taking a step back and nearly colliding with the weight lifting machine, "I'm sorry. Watcher, I'm sorry that was so...just so---!"
What happened after is a bit of a blur now. It all happened so fast, and before I knew it, it was over. And I was on top of the world as I sauntered out of the bathroom, a little wet but extremely satisified.
The consequences of that encounter were the farthest from my mind as I headed home. Though, I was fully aware of the fact that Shawnee had only strengthened my desire for companionship. The next couple days consisted of me investing what little money I'd earned from my book into making my shack a few square feet bigger, painted and put down some carpet. I also bought a few other things---A mini fridge, a chair....a dog bowl and a box of toys.
The phone call had been short and to the point. I didn't care what kind of dog it was, so long as it was mine. I waited around a bit for the shelter to bring him over. Within the hour, there was a brand new addition to the household.
In the pouring rain, a little fluffy puppy bolted from the sidewalk to the front door. Her little legs, however, couldn't really keep up with her speed and she fell flat on her face the moment she got there. When I opened the door and saw the little thing laying on the ground looking just a tad defeated, the first thing I did was laugh. Then I cooed at her and scooped her up off the ground and brought her inside out of the rain.
Her name was Cinnamon, and she was the perfect addition to the house. She was absolutely everything I wanted in a dog---quiet and playful. Though she was a bit destructive and began tearing up the chair I had. But I'd break that soon enough. She was still so young and excitable that it would likely take a bit of time to reinforce anything.
Now that I had Cinnamon, I had to get back to work. Dog food isn't free, nor are renovations. I couldn't live in a shack for the rest of my life. So I scooped up my little baby and headed to the library. Settling down in my usual spot, I got started on my second book 'Cinnamon and Me'. She decided to take a nap right next to me at the desk.
And then suddenly...suddenly I was in the bathroom throwing up. Again. Yes, this had happened before. Initially I didn't know what was wrong. But at the library that day as I headed back over to the desk, careful not to step on Cinnamon who had woken up was running in circles, it all made sense.
I was pregnant.
=====
So, I feel I should let you know that Cinnamon is the cutest puppy ever. EVER. Or at least I think so. And I'll probably say this about any pets that appear in the future. But because there's no toddlers yet, enjoy this puppy spam.
