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)