Chapter Fourteen: Summer Break

Bobby saw to it that Camille made it to school on time. He told her he’d be at the dome park by the time she was off from school. Camille agreed to meet him there. 

While Camille was at school, Bobby was busy winning chess matches.

He took a break when Camille arrived at the park. He motioned her towards the chair across from him.  Bobby asked her how her first day of school went.

“It was awful; no one wanted to talk to me.” Camille said. She didn’t sound angry, but she didn’t sound too wounded either. 

Bobby recognized the feeling of indifference.

“Camille, it’s important to have friends you know…” Bobby said with a slight smile.

It was quite nice outside, so Camille decided to do her homework in the park while Bobby continued to play chess.

 That night they returned to the library and Camille made some muffins for them to eat.

Camille took her dad’s advice to heart. She started to socialize more at school. She almost made honor roll, but never quite managed. Over the summer break, Bobby took Camille out to the park and she invited her friend from school.

 

Bobby took this time to do a little socializing for himself. 

It didn't go as smoothly as he expected.

Camille was happy to join her Dad in his pursuit of being a grand master chess player. He was at the dome park nearly every day now. She was upset that he had won his final match when she was asleep. 

Bobby had lots of free time now that he was master of the chess circuit. He still solved mysteries on the computer for money. Camille was content with life, one afternoon she asked her dad why he spent so much time trying to make money. He smiled at her, and avoided the question.

"Now don't you worry about that, little miss." He bent down to hug Camille.

It was nearing the end of summer and Camille was getting older. Bobby was very proud of her for doing so well in school. He decided to throw a party for Camille. He was not ashamed to throw their party at the library, since they practically took over the place.

Camille was elated when she saw the cake. 

Camille grew up too fast, Bobby tried to contain his tears.

“What’s wrong Dad?” Camille asked.

“Nothing, it’s just… you look so much like your mother.

Camille didn’t know how to react; she could not remember what her mother looked like.

“Thanks for the cake, Dad” Camille reached to Bobby for a hug.

Generation Two: 

Name: Bobby Vagabond

Random Traits: Genius, couch potato, light sleeper, family oriented, childish.

LTW: Chess Legend (Complete)

Generation Three:

Name: Camille Vagabond

Random Traits: Genius, virtuoso, hydrophobic, absent minded.

LTW: (None yet, she’s still a teenager)

Chapter Thirteen: Camille's Birthday

Bobby was thankful for the library; there were several things for him to keep Camille occupied with.

Camille especially loved the xylophone.

Bobby taught Camille how to walk, and read all of the books that he could to her.

Camille loved books. If left on the floor, she would flip through them to look at the pictures.

Bobby had put his wish to be a grand master chess player on hold for the winter. He read a book on handiness and wanted to fix the library’s broken computer. After a few hours of tinkering, he managed to get it to work again.

He was happy to have the computer working again, as he was able to practice chess. It didn’t earn any chess ranks but Bobby thought the practice would give him an advantage for when he returned to the chess circuit.

Bobby savored the time he had on the computer, the chess was entertaining and the chair was highly comfortable.

The snow had all melted and Bobby took Camille out shopping for a birthday cake. He was glad to leave the stuffy confines of the library.

Camille was frightened of the store portals, and nearly everything else outside. She held onto her dad as hard as she could.

Bobby knew they couldn’t have a birthday party in the library. He took Camille to the diner so that she could celebrate.

Camille’s eyes widened when he sat the cake down. He chuckled a bit and told her to make a wish. Camille instinctively blew out the candles on the cake.

She told her dad she wished to learn how to paint. Bobby choked down the rest of his cake. Painting classes were expensive. 

When he looked down at Camille he saw her naïve innocence. It was going to mean sacrificing half of their funds but Bobby couldn’t refuse.

He gave Camille the money and pointed towards the school up the hill. He then pointed towards the familiar dome park and explained that’s where he’d wait for her.

Bobby tried to get an opponent to show for a chess match, but had no such luck. He decided to take a nap and wait for Camille’s art class to finish. It wasn’t long after his nap before Bobby had his second experience with lightening.

Camille was very worried when she saw her dad. She pleaded with him to return to the library. It was raining out and this made Camille feel very uneasy. 

Bobby reluctantly gave the more comfortable couch to Camille.

She was very excited about her first day of school, and extremely refreshed after sleeping on something other than the floor for the first time in her life.

Chapter Fourteen: Summer Break

Generation Two: 

Name: Bobby Vagabond

Random Traits: Genius, couch potato, light sleeper, family oriented, childish.

LTW: Chess Legend

Generation Three:

Name: Camille Vagabond

Random Traits: Genius, virtuoso, hydrophobic.

LTW: (None yet, she’s still a child)

Chapter Twelve: Left in the Cold

Bobby and Lily held a private wedding right there at the park. Lily was so ecstatic to move in with Bobby.  Before Bobby could stop her, she called her landlord to tell him she was moving. The landlord loudly laughed over the phone. After much yelling, the conversation between Lily and her landlord ended. She had been behind on payments for months.

Bobby smiled weakly and took her to the library. On the way there he explained that he still hasn’t found a place to live. Lily was upset but she was too tired to put up much of a fight. Bobby tried to make more money for a home while Lily napped.

The next morning they went to the park together. Lily thought it would be a nicer setting than the library to have a talk with Bobby about what they were going to do.

“So, Bobby, have you given much thought to…” Lily trailed off. Bobby was in a full sprint, going towards the swing set.

“You’re kidding, right Bobby? Let’s get some food and talk, I’m starving.” Lily looked perturbed. Bobby pleaded her to push him. “Alright, only for a little while” Lily agreed.

Only after a couple of pushes Bobby starts to giggle maniacally. Lily stormed off across the street. She had never seen this side of Bobby; he’s been acting so childishly today.

Lily fumed, but her anger was overshadowed by her hunger. She had almost forgotten about how upset she was when Bobby sparked the grill behind her. 

Bobby set a plate of hot dogs in front of her, and they both helped themselves. 

“How are we going to do this? Have you found a place for us to live yet, Bobby?” Lily asked optimistically .

Bobby stuffed the last bit of hot dog in his mouth and grabbed another, “Mmph, it will all work out...” Bobby smacked on his food.

Lily threw her hot dog down. That was the last straw. “Do NOT talk to me with your mouth full of food. You’re so disgusting Bobby” Lily got up from the table and left.

Bobby looked for her for hours. He saw a sim sitting at the chess tables at his park. He couldn’t turn down a challenge and they played through the evening.

It was late when they finished their match and Bobby was very tired. He decided to sleep in the park and would resume his search for Lily tomorrow.

He woke up to a baby’s cry. He looked down and saw there was a baby next to him with a note. It read:

“Dear Bobby,

I don’t know what I was thinking marrying you. I realize now there is nothing between us. I’m not cut out for the homeless life. I’m leaving you with Camille. I think she’ll be better off with you anyway. Don’t waste your time looking for me. I’m selling the ring you bought me, and I’m going back to SimEarth. Good bye Bobby.

Regretfully,

Lily”

Bobby stared at the note, how could he have been such a fool? Then he picked up Camille. 

Even though his first and only love had just left him, he felt such joy. He stared at Camille and could only think about how perfect she was. 

Bobby didn’t have any money. He had spent it all on the ring he bought Lily. He felt so disappointed in himself. He had no idea what he was going to do with Camille. Thankfully, Lily left a good amount of formula and a few diapers. He stashed the supplies in the bushes. Sinking into a depression, Bobby laid back down on the park bench. 

Even though Bobby knew Lily was gone, he still took Camille with him to search for her. They spent most evenings in the dome parks.

It was getting colder, so cold that Bobby could hardly move. Camille was starting to cry, she needed food. Bobby put her down to get some. After only taking a few steps, Bobby collapsed.

Bobby thought this was the end for sure. He was paralyzed from the frost. Helplessly, he could only watch as Camille grew hungrier.

Hours passed by, Bobby looked at Camille one last time and closed his eyes. He took what he thought to be his last breath. Suddenly, he heard a woman’s voice.

“Hello!? Are you still alive? Oh my…is that a baby?!” The stranger helped Bobby to his feet. 

Bobby was still regaining his composure. “How did you…find me?” He started moving around a bit to bring his body temperature up.

The woman introduced herself as Shameka Frantz. This still didn’t answer Bobby’s question. Shameka explained that she was paparazzi. This hit a nerve in Bobby, he didn't care for paparazzi.

“What were you doing with a baby out here, at this hour?” Shameka asked.

Bobby snatched Camille out of her arms and left the park. He carried Camille to the library, the safest place he could think to go.  

"We should have came here from the beginning" Bobby thought to himself. He felt fortunate that Camille was still healthy after spending so much time outside in the elements.

Bobby tried to earn money for them. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for the most basic necessities.

Since the upstairs computer was broken, it made the room a perfect little hide-a-way for both Bobby and Camille.

No one else seemed to agree with this idea.

One night Camille quietly woke up. There was something different, something changing. 

Camille was happy to have more mobility and she crawled to her dad. She found her dad's snoring quite amusing.

Camille's attention was drawn to the faint jingle that was coming from the ice cream truck nearby. She didn't know what it was, but she loved it. Colors swirled in her head corresponding with the notes. 

Chapter Thirteen: Camille's Birthday

Generation Two: 

Name: Bobby Vagabond

Random Traits: Genius, couch potato, light sleeper, family oriented, childish.

LTW: Chess Legend

Generation Three:

Name: Camille Vagabond

Random Traits: Virtuoso, genius.

LTW: (None yet, she's still a toddler)