Work and Play
Andrew: Will Jamar and Betsy be joining us in Granite Falls?
Shari: I don’t think so, dear. Betsy is in no condition to travel, and Jamar will stay here in case she needs him.
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Shari: This is such a nice place you rented, Andrew. It’s a shame we can only stay a short while.
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Andrew: I hope we can come back again someday. Did you see the best part? The house has not one, but two indoor water closets.
Shari: Indoor water closets? Like they have in the White House?
Andrew: Yes, and fancy hotels have them, too.
Shari: How does that work?
Andrew: I intend to find out.
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Aster: Thanks for mentoring me, Papa. I hope I can learn to carve camping mascots before we leave.
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Fig: Have you seen Mama, Daisy?
Daisy: She was over there by that bramble patch the last time I saw her.
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Fig: How do you always find the secret places, Mama?
Andrew: I’ve learned not to question your mother’s instincts, son.
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Daisy: I remember this game, Papa. Didn’t you promise to get one for the backyard?
Andrew: This time I won’t forget, princess.
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Shari: Aster, did you study the camping mascot?
Aster: Yes Mama, we can leave whenever you are ready.
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After a very short trip to Granite Falls, the family returns home so that Shari can go to work, Aster can have his Young Adult birthday, and Jamar can move in with Betsy.
Daisy: Did you miss us while we were gone, Bluebell? Were you a good girl for Uncle Jamar?
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Shari: I’m glad we got home in time for me to go to work. I received my last promotion today!
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Andrew: Congratulations! And the royalties you earned today completed your Fabulously Wealthy aspiration.
Shari: Thank you, dear. I think I’ll do Friend of the World next. It should be an easy one.
Andrew: I’ll have Aster make the arrangements for his own birthday party tonight. Maybe he can invite some people you haven’t met yet.
Shari: How were things while we were gone, Evelyn? I’m sorry that I missed your birthday.
Evelyn: Oh, I hardly noticed my birthday, myself. I’m a Grandmother now! That’s all I can think about.
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Andrew: To my eldest son on his young adult birthday! And let it be known that I have once again made a successful toast, even if it took me five tries to do it.
Aster: Stop it, Papa. You’re embarrassing me.
John: I still think it’s funny.
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Shari: (thinking) My baby boy is becoming a man. I wonder if he’ll be the heir.
Wendy (thinking) He’s so cute. I wonder what his mother meant when she said she hopes I get a unique third trait?
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Andrew: I realize you just became a young adult, son, but have you decided on a career?
Aster: Well, my third trait is Ambitious. What do you think of the Political career?
Andrew: Hmm…President Behr. That has a nice ring to it.
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Daisy: Uncle Jamar! Where did you go? Aster already blew out his candles…oh!
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A few days later…
Andrew: Well this is a new experience-- having my son mentor me. When did you max logic?
Aster: Ages ago. Now pay attention because Mama is trouncing you.
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Andrew: Wait! You’ve already maxed painting, too?
Aster: Yeah… you can’t mentor me anymore, but you can help me with this political mural if you’d like. I need to finish quickly. Mama wants to visit Ms. Evelyn tonight.
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Shari: It’s nice to finally meet your grandson, Evelyn. He’s a handsome little fellow!
Evelyn: Kellen is handsome and a handful. He got the fussy trait.
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Evelyn: Come upstairs. There is someone else I want you to meet.
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Shari: A baby girl! Congratulations! And Andrew was the first to make it upstairs to meet her.
Evelyn: I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for my family. You are such wonderful neighbors!
Shari: The feeling is mutual. I hope the Behrs and the McClures will always be neighbors.
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Shari: I know it’s getting late, but I hope we have time to let Daisy and Fig work on their aspirations.
Andrew: Don’t worry. We have Rally the Troops; we can stay out all night if we have to.
Shari: How is the collecting going, Daisy?
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Daisy: Okay, but my crystals aren’t registering for some reason. I think I’ll help Fig with his fishing for a while.
Shari: It took all night, but at least Fig got his aspiration completed.
Andrew: It’s a good thing Daisy decided to help him. She caught the red-tailed shark that counted as the 20th fish.
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Shari: Now we can finally go home.
Andrew: Who are these extra people we brought with us?
Shari: (whispers) They are the potential love interests for each of our children. I think it’s about time we got to know them.
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Andrew: That’s not really something I want to think about.
Shari: Just smile and say hello.
Notes: Betsy gave birth to a boy (Kellen) while the Behrs were in Granite Falls. She and Jamar tried for a baby again when the Behrs returned. I moved Jamar out without knowing if Betsy was pregnant again or not. It was a pleasant surprise to find they had a daughter (Melany).
Also, we are adding indoor plumbing to the house (but still keeping the outhouse for a while). Only the most ‘rustic’ looking toilet and sinks will be used, and only bathtubs (no showers). The White House got indoor plumbing in 1833, and fancy hotels had it even earlier. Since Aster is a YA now, I figure that we are somewhere in the early 1840s with the Behrs.
And finally, since Aster did not get the Loves Outdoors trait, we will have to wait until Daisy is a young adult to find out who will be the heir. If Daisy gets Loves Outdoors, she will be the heir. If not, then the title goes to the firstborn which is Aster.