Chapter 2.31-Tiny Bit of Happy

          “Sally!” Layla exclaimed a little breathlessly into the phone. The birthday guests were long gone, dinner dishes had gone into the dishwasher and Layla was getting ready for bed. Her stress over the day had left her far more tired than she was used to. Tiburcia was still up riding the rocking horse for all it was worth and she had no idea what Ignacio was up to.

          “What’s-” Layla began to ask, but Sally interrupted her.

“Oh no, honey. How-” Again, Sally cut her off.

“Well, are-” Layla could barely get a word out of her mouth, she hugged herself with her free arm. Sally was obviously still very upset with Layla, and this was probably not an event that could fix that relationship.

“Thanks for letting me know, yeah.” A sentence finally. But that would be all.

          “I’m so sorry,” Layla said, then looked at the receiver in her hand for a sad moment before replacing it on the cradle.

          “Who was that?” Ignacio’s voice behind her surprised her, but for once, she didn’t startle or jump. Her heart gave a tiny leap that maybe things could go back to normal between the two of them if he was taking interest in her phone call.

          She dipped her head a little that she could feel any hope when she had such news. But she couldn’t handle repressing that tiny bit of happy.

          “It was Sally,” she said, turning around. “She called to say that Uncle Trigger passed away today.”

          Her words were only just louder than the extremely noisy dishwasher and Ignacio had trouble distinguishing them at first. When they sank in, his stomach sank a little. Another death, and they’d all been so close together. At least Trigger’s passing was merciful. The entire town knew how hard he’d been grieving about losing Estella.

          “I’ll have to call Daddy to tell him about it,” Layla continued, making Ignacio very seriously think about opening the door of the dishwasher so he could get it to stop it’s racket. “I really doubt Sally will remember to call and tell him. He should know his brother is gone, even if they’re still not really speaking.”

          Ignacio nodded. More grief. Buck would still mourn, and that would hurt Layla even more.

          “At least it is the third death, right?” he finally asked her. “As death always comes in threes?”

          Looking blankly at him a moment, Layla jerked open the dishwasher unleashing a cloud of steam and the hiss of falling water before walking to stand in front of him.

          “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said,” she said sadly.

          For a long moment, Ignacio just looked at her. It had been a while since she had stood so closely to him and he was surprised at the dark bags under her eyes, and the haggard look of her cheeks.

          “I said that at least this is the third death, since death always comes in threes,” he repeated.

          “Oh,” she said. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

          Deciding he’d had enough of their tiff his shoulders relaxed.

          “Look, thank you for having my family over for Tibi’s birthday,” he said. “It meant a lot to her and it was nice to have everyone over. We do not get together as a family nearly enough. It was nice.”

          Nodding, Layla attempted a thin lipped smile. She was just so tired of it all that she could hardly focus on his words, or the apology implied in them.

          “Ah, Mi Llamita,” he said quietly, reaching for her and crushing her against him. “Things have been very hard for you lately, huh?”

          Not trusting her voice, Layla, again, nodded. Her heart pounding and the relief she felt at his touch caused a well of emotions to rise within her causing a lump in her throat. Too much was happening all too quickly. She’d give anything for a break and it was nice that Ignacio recognized it.

          Allowing herself to be cuddled for a little while was probably the most relaxing thing she’d done in a while, and with a shock she noticed how light it still was outside while she contemplated going to bed. Was she really that tired? Winter was just around the corner, she knew. So the days were much shorter, night falling earlier each day.

          “I have something I want to talk to you about,” she said finally. She hated to break the embrace, but she needed to tell him this. She’d needed to tell him this for a while.

          “I’d like to hire the custody lawyer Ned hired for you,” she said. “I’ll pay for them. Don’t worry about that. I just want to make sure Tibi is well taken care of.”

          Almost unable to believe what she was saying, Ignacio took a minute, blinking, to formulate his response.

          “She asked me today if she could call me Mom,” Layla continued shyly. “Because she says she doesn’t know her mother. I told her that was okay, but only if it was okay with you.”

          “It is fine with me,” Ignacio said. “That is wonderful, really. Tha’s- Tha’s great. And thank you.”

          “Don’t thank me,” Layla said. “There’s nothing to thank me for. I just, kind of want to keep this odd little family we’ve got here safe and sound.”

          “Family?” Ignacio raised his eyebrows. He figured she’d hold him at arm’s length until he told her whatever it was she wanted to hear. Neither of them had even said those big words to each other, just in case either wanted to walk away. Just so they could pretend they wouldn’t be terribly hurt. So ‘family’ was a big step between the two.

          “If that’s okay, if not-” her words rushed out in a tumble.

          “Shhhh,” he shook his head, grabbing her arms. “Shhh. Family. Our family.”

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Baby steps between these two you guys. And Sorry that was so short, but like I said: baby steps (also, the next chapter is a monster.) That was a big deal for them to come to a type of understanding about anything. And Layla’s energy bar really was low for that time of day. I kind of think Nalleli or Raul tried to cast some spell on her that lowered several of her motives. Lol. Oh well.

So if you will all kindly cast your eyes to the right I have a little announcement. Layla and I don't get along. Really. Between the two of us we cannot agree on a name for the heir and so we came up with what we hope is a workable solution. There is a poll up consisting of two names for a girl and another poll up with two names for a boy. If you would all kindly cast a vote I'd really appreciate it so I can stick it to the incredibly pigheaded girl who lives in my head. Er... So I can move forward a little with what is going on. *shifty eyes. The poll will be up for one week at the end of which I hope to be able to make an announcement in story. Thank you to those who participate! I really appreciate it.

A final note: Sally had also just given birth to a boy SP named JJ. Roughly 6 sim hours later she was expecting again.  FYI.

Chapter 2.30-Charitable Endeavor

          Bright and early that Saturday morning his family had dutifully filed into Layla’s new home for a party. Well, bright might not quite describe it. Lightning occasionally flashed throwing strange shadows into the corners as thunder rolled round the high rocky hills near constantly. The rain was actually coming down hard enough that it was hard to hear over its hammering of the roof and windows. Actually, that was kind of how it had been in the house the entire week between Layla and Ignacio. He may not have realized it, but he hadn't even whistled as he habitually did.

          At least the guests didn’t appear to notice anything different. His dad standing in front of him enthusiastically waving a noisemaker that had been dug up from some drawer.

          Certainly Nalleli and her husband Shad wouldn’t know there was anything wrong. Ignacio hardly saw the pair though. They were blocking one of the final corners left in the house that didn’t have gems or flowers or some other tchotchke in over abundance. Layla had been out much more than usual, consequently finding more than normal that shined or sparkled or fluttered for her to fill the blanks of her home with.

          The couple seemingly most uneasy were Raul and his new wife Lottie. Admittedly, Lottie was a little strange anyway and you could never be quite sure what she was thinking or might do next. That put others on their guard around her and she absolutely knew it. Raul would forever be oblivious to that. That might be a good thing though.

          Layla’s pasted smile fooled all of them. All but Ignacio at least. But she deserved to be uncomfortable. It was her idea to get this many people over. It was her idea to meet the members of his family she had not yet greeted. It was even her idea to invite Melly to see Tiburcia grow up. She was still in agonies that Melly might actually appear. Ignacio was furious she had thought such a move necessary.

This birthday could mark a potential change in the custody arrangement and he was prepared to do anything to shield his little girl from her mother’s influence. If Melly wanted a birthday party for his Tibi, she could throw her own party and Ignacio would bring Tibi. But that didn’t seem to be happening either. Thankfully.

          Leaning over to help Tibi blow her candles out, (blowing a generous portion of spittle on the icing as she did so) Ignacio decided to just be content and accept how things were. Layla had invited his daughters mother, she hadn’t shown up yet and probably wouldn’t. With the candles blown out at least he could focus on what really mattered right then, his daughter.

          The leap of faith.

          Finding your feet after age up always takes a wobbly second. Getting your eyes uncrossed takes a second more.

          But here she is, in all her childhood glory. Tiburcia Guerra, standing ready and able and waiting for her chance to take over the world!

          After she’s had cake, gotta have cake. Tiburcia grins as the adults begin to swarm around the table. Birthday girl privilege. She gets first slice, and she doesn’t have to deal with the jostling mess that’s about to occur. Tiburcia Guerra: taking over the adults’ world one cake slice at a time.

          “Your new home is lovely dear,” Sabria said as she joined Layla and her granddaughter at the table. “It’s nice to have so much room for things like this. Our home would be a little cramped if we all tried to have a birthday party there.”

          Layla smiled at Sabria, afraid to speak lest voice would tremble betraying her nerves. There were still too many people in her home in her opinion. And what if Ignacio was still upset that she had invited his family over? That she had invited Melly over?

          And as Layla’s nerves grew from a feeling of claustrophobia and regret, Ignacio was becoming more calm. So far, Lottie had behaved, Raul was being polite, his dad wasn’t attempting to flirt with anyone, Layla seemed alright, and Tibi was happy. The more time that passed, the less he was afraid Melly would show up either. The effect was as calming as a day spent fishing for him.

 

          Tibi was the first to finish her cake, Layla assured her she’d take care of her plate if she wanted to go and play and she scampered off only to run straight into her Aunt Lottie.

          “Hey kid,” she said in a baby voice. “I hear today is your birthday!”

          “Yeah,” Tibi said warily. “We just finished eating the birthday cake. You were here when I blew out the candles.”

          “So then it must be your birthday!”

          Tibi frowned at her before walking off. Sabria, watching from the corner had to stifle a laugh. Poor Lottie. Bested by a 5 year old.

          The adults left around the table had begun to talk amongst themselves now that Tibi was gone. The family had still not gotten used to having a child in their midst and they were all unsure what exactly to talk about in front of the little girl. It had been easier when they knew she didn’t understand and wouldn’t repeat their words.

          However, the conversation quickly left two of the group behind when Raul and Ignacio started talking about the military occupation of some long distant foreign country. Layla had no idea what was going on in the news. Shad couldn’t believe no one found his attempt to discuss the latest Sim Street Journal report on the declining literary tastes of Sim Nation, or the newest Simthiopian roast offered at the coffeehouse interesting. It interested him at least.

          Finally deciding that taking care of the dirty dishes might ease her anxiety Layla rose. Taking her cue, Ignacio and Raul also rose. Shad, however, was jamming to his own head beats and missed out on the general breaking up of those left at the table.

          Until Layla spotted Lottie doing this and decided the dishes must be cleaned up very quickly so she could check on all the gems in the house, just in case.

          “Grandma,” Tibi asked. “Why does everyone act like they don’t know that today is my birthday?”

          “Oh my goodness! Is today your birthday?”

          “Of course it is! You were here when I blew out the candles, too! Why is everyone acting so surprised that it’s my birthday?”

          Nalleli, thankfully, comes to Layla’s rescue with Lottie just as she begins to sing the latest hit pop song in an operatic voice that echoes off the walls.

          “Dear PlumbBob, Lottie,” Nalleli asked, coming out of the kitchen to try and steer Lottie into a slightly saner vein. “What exactly were you sniffing before you came over?”

          “The flowers beneath your mothers window?”

          “Oh my gracious! You did not! Those are- You’re not- It’s not- That would do it. Come on, you need some nice fresh oxygen to get to your brain for a little while.”

          “I thought this was a charitable endeavor,” Ignacio began the moment Shad went off to assist Nalleli. “I know mom and dad did not buy that jacket. Or those bowling shoes you are wearing.”

          “They didn’t buy them,” Raul answered flatly. “And neither did I for that matter, Lottie purchased them for me.”

          “Explains the bowling shoes at least-”

          “-I make a meager profit only,” Raul interrupted. “Same as you. And don't knock the shoes. ”

          “Where did Lottie get the money? She is the one helping Matthew organize the shipments so I know she should be making no more than we are also,” Ignacio was not satisfied with his brother’s answer.

          “Lottie has a job on the side,” Raul was barely able to conceal his impatience this time. “As does everyone else but me. She has her own money, and if she’s willing to buy me clothes, alright. How’s fishing been? Catch anything good lately?”

          “How’ve you been?” Sabria asked after Layla had put away the small table the cake had been on. “I’ve been worried about you. With your mother and Aunt passing so closely together and the new house I’m sure you’ve been really stressed.”

          “I’m fine,” Layla lied. “Really, everything is going great right now.”

          “I’m a better lie detector than the one at the police station, Layla,” Sabria said. “Why aren’t you slowing down? You need to deal with your grief.”

 

 

          “I’m fine, Mom’s gone, Aunt Estella is gone. That’s all. Life still goes on,” Layla genuinely felt alright, that much was true. There was still a niggling little thought that she had shut up her emotions in a little box and ignored it to be dealt with later when the time was better, but everyone grieves differently don’t they?

          “Layla,” Sabria plead. “Please, if not for your sake, for my son’s and granddaughter’s sakes. Take some time off. Let your mind actually work. You’re not weak for grieving.”

 

          “Layla, I know you are lying to me,” Sabria was genuinely concerned and was going to do her best to get Layla to listen to her. “And I know what could happen if you don’t deal with this now. Please.”

          Putting on an expression she hoped read as thoughtful she nodded solemnly. Maybe that’s what Sabria needed to see.

          Trying to look cheerful, Sabria’s heart broke a little. Layla had no idea what was coming and to warn her might only make the path more difficult.

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          So that age up for Tibi took two very long takes. The first time I actually threw a party, (because I had some type of temporary insanity apparently) and it was a disaster. Dis-Ass-Ter. First of all, just to make my life really fun, Galen decided to attend. (I portered him over just to see what he would do in AP. Nothing it seems. I feel really bad about it now. He’s yet another single male in the community and doesn’t seem to do anything other than work) Then so did half the rest of the town. Then half of them had to go to work. The remaining half then decided to rake the lot (that’s not a complaint, simply an observation) When Ignacio brought Tibi to the cake only Layla and Sabria cheered. When Ignacio put her down to age up, she got up and walked off. In the end, even the save corrupted on me. So this was a much better controlled take two of all of that. I have no idea what Lottie (nee Riffin)’s traits are either to get her to do half of what she did. She’s sure amusing to me though. One of these days I’ll remember to grab Tibi’s traits, write them down and post them. One of these days...

          A couple of outtakes are up under the tab up top. They made me giggle at least, but they're not the shots of the first party that gave me such fits. Those got deleted whilst I finger gunned them. BOOM!

Chapter 2.29- Slightly Over the Edge

          Laying across the bed next to Sally was something Layla had thought wouldn’t be happening ever again. The last time the two had been in a room sharing their thoughts and stories had been before that one date with Ned. It felt like a lifetime ago that the two had traveled to Lucky Palms to go shopping for a dress Sally thought would be appropriate for a date with the town’s (still) most eligible bachelor. They last she had heard, Ned still wasn’t seeing anyone.

          Shaking her head, Layla tried to focus on the here and now. Here in this room with her little cousin, now all grown up. Sally was a wife and a soon-to-be-mother, while Layla had gained a live-in boyfriend and his daughter. Times had changed, and changed them both as well.

          “Quit shaking the bed, please,” Sally said in a pitiful voice as Layla's head shaking sent reverberations across the mattress springs. “Laying still for a second is wonderful. He” (she indicated her belly) “is never still and will not quit moving. And I’ve been everywhere today and I still feel like I’m moving. I just want to be still.”

          “He?”

          “Yeah, it’s a boy according to those grainy black and white pictures and the doctor. I guess we could go get one of those 4-d pics made where maybe I could be sure that’s really a twig and berries, but those kind of creep me out. Green is neutral and that’s what did the nursery in just in case.”

          “I take it you wanted a girl, then.”

          “Still want. Still hope, still cross my fingers for. I’m forever surrounded by men and boys anymore. I just want a little frilly, pink, baby doll to play with.”

          “Little bit hard on this kid already, aren’t ya?” Layla craned her neck to better look at Sally.

          “He’s hard on me. Fair’s fair.”

          “Oh, you’re really miserable aren’t you? Poor dear.”

          “You would be, too! I’m barely old enough to drink and I’m already married and pregnant and with Mom’s death I’m the one stepping into her shoes. I don’t know how to run a house nearly like she did! She just did it! Always! She didn’t think about it, she didn’t screw it up, she always had it all so perfect and neat and planned out and it was always just right! I can’t do that!”

          “Surely Uncle Trigger will help you out?”

          “Layla, Daddy went in his room the moment they took mom’s body away, and locked the door. We haven’t seen him since. We can hear him crying from inside, but he won’t come out.” Sally rolled onto her side. “It’s not like he even helped her run the house. He ran the farm, she ran the house. Now Ottawa is running the farm, and I’m running the house. That’s not how it should be.”

          “So how should it be?”

          “I dunno,” Sally said dreamily, looking out one of the windows. “It should be Ottawa and I locked in our room all day. And we wouldn’t be in there crying I’ll tell you that much.”

          Snorting a little bit, Layla flicked Sally’s thigh. “You know better than that. And by the look of your belly that is most likely what you and Ottawa did the second you both graduated. Am I right?”

          “Yes,” A mischievous grin spread across Sally’s face. “But it should have lasted for all eternity. Life wasn’t supposed to happen this soon. Literally! So I managed to catch you all dolled up and yet there’s no one else home it appears. Why aren’t you and Ignacio rolling around this bed ignoring life?”

          “Because life happened here too,” Layla sighed. “Maybe not quite in the same way as it did for you an Ottawa, but it happened.”

          Sally looked carefully at Layla, who was looking off into a corner sadly. In Sally’s guess there was trouble in paradise, but right now there were far more pressing things that had to be addressed.

          “Do you know that with Mom gone I can visit you now and it won’t hurt her?” Sally asked.

          “Won’t all the other gossips in town just shun you?”

          “Yes,” she said, matter-of-factly. “But I don’t care about them. And I’ll still have friends who won’t dare to say anything.”

          “What about your dad? Sally, your dad is home grieving pretty badly it sounds like. And I’m sure that he knew all about my ‘multiple transgressions against the moral health of the town’- or however they labeled my actions- and probably agreed with your mom. Shouldn’t his wishes still count for something?”

          Looking down at her swollen stomach which was jumping slightly Sally made a wry face at it. “Fine! Fine! I’ll roll over again, just be still for half a second. My kidneys are killing me.” Sally looked at Layla, who was looking off into a corner sadly, before rolling back onto her back. “He seems to think they’re soccer balls. And oh, PlumbBob, my back!”

          “Your dad, Sally,” Layla said. “Your dad is important to you. His opinion and mental health should be important to you. You could have called to tell me about Aunt Estella, and I’m glad you came over, don’t get me wrong. But your priority needs to be on making sure your dad is okay right now.”

          “Dad is still in shock,” Sally said wearily. “It just happened yesterday. So it’s only been a day. He’ll come out and get over it. He always bounces back fairly quickly when something happens. Like, he was so upset when Silas knocked up that Loveland chick and then told dad he had no plans for that to be long term and that he was just having fun. Wow. But just a few days later-”

          “-But this is a lot bigger than Silas and his attempts to sow wild oats-”

          “-Dad would never let Silas plant oats on the farm anyway. Says they’re too-”

          “-No, Sally,” Layla finally felt she’d found the teenager she remembered. But she was not pleased with what she’d uncovered. On the contrary, she was weary and annoyed. “I’m not talking about real oats. I’m saying that Silas is having his fun as a legal adult before he decides to settle down.”

          “Oh,” Sally said. “But Dad got over that anyway.”

          “Because it’s small fry in the grand scheme of things,” said Layla. “Your mother’s passing probably shook him to his very core. Didn’t they get married really young? Like you did? So having her suddenly taken from him was like somebody taking his security blanket and burning it in front of his eyes. And it’s your dad, Sally. You need to take care of him.”

          Sally sat up abruptly.

          “But I don’t want to take care of him,” She whined. “I want someone to take care of me.”

          “Sally,” Layla was truly reaching the end of her tether. With everything that had happened so far that day she wanted to rush outside and just scream in frustration she felt so overwhelmed. “Sally, when you decided to grow up, when you married Ottawa and got pregnant you forfeited that right. Being a grown up can be no fun when you’ve got those kinds of obligations. But you signed up for it.”

          “Is that why you’re still not married and have no kids? So you can play all the time?” Sally’s words were sharp, and though Layla was stung, she felt she deserved them.

          “I just-” Layla started, but she had to stop. Sally was right and wrong both and there was no way Layla could figure out how to tell her how it worked. She’d never understand. Shaking her head, she closed her mouth.

          “Do you even love Ignacio then? Or are you just playing around with him? Is that why you don’t go out into the town to try and show everyone that they’re wrong about you? Is that why you still hide? I came here hoping to find someone to talk to, who could understand, someone older and wiser and with experience. You want me to pull my dad out of his room and his grief? You want me to put on my big girl panties and be the strong woman my mother was? Do it to yourself.”

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          Seeing Sally flee past her windows Layla buried her head in her arms. How had she managed to make such a mess of that so quickly? Just today she’d managed to alienate both Ignacio and Sally. Single-handedly! Maybe she’d finally found her superpower. Lonergirl, with her ability to scare off even those who were supposed to like her. Well, Sally was supposed to like her. At this rate she really wasn’t sure where she stood with Ignacio. Or Sally. Stupid stupid stupid.

          Pressing her forehead into the bed she ran a hand along the back of her head. Grabbing a handful of her hair she pulled, gripping as tightly as she could. The sensation made her gasp a little and she pulled harder hoping the physical pain would numb the ache in her heart, the lump in her stomach.

          Hadn’t she told Sally that she was grieving the loss of her mother, too? Didn’t that count for something? She should have pointed out that she too had a father who had been devastated by a loss. Galen said Buck still acted a little lost most days. Both siblings doubted he’d ever move on from their mother.

          And who cared if she hadn’t ‘settled down’ yet? She still had plenty of childbearing years ahead of her! And it was her decision, her body. What if she went ahead and got pregnant but then discovered that it was the wrong decision? Phedra had done that. And Layla didn’t want to do the same. It wasn’t like she had a Cyrus to dump her kids on. Sabria didn’t mind helping with Tiburcia, but she'd made it clear that she wasn’t the girl’s parent and wouldn’t be the one raising her. So she’d probably say the same if Layla popped up pregnant. She’d help, but make it clear that Ignacio and Layla had a duty to perform.

          And so what if she and Ignacio weren’t married either? Things were comfortable just how they were. Until this morning. Blah. This morning...

          Layla flipped over, kicked something hard on Ignacio’s nightstand and scooted back, letting her head tip slightly over the edge of the bed. The back of her scalp tingled just a little as she put pressure on it and she kicked herself for doing something that stupid.

          Everything she’d done that day had been stupid. No. Not just done. Said. Everything she’d said. Everything she’d done. All of it.

          Hitting the top of her head with the end of her fist she sat up.

          She ought to get her tongue cut out. It’d make her life so much simpler. Going back as far as she could the first thing she never should have said was that she’d leave Ouroboros and Joel behind. Then, none of this mess would have ever happened. No Ignacio, No Sally, No Ned, No Tiburcia. Nothing would have been complicated. She would have lived, she would have loved and she would have been happy.

          But she did love. That was the problem. She loved Sally and Tiburcia and Aunt Estella she knew. Did she love Ignacio? It was hard to tell, especially right then which made her even more confused. Maybe she just needed to shut her feelings up in a little box and throw that key away. Then perhaps it would be easier to keep from saying stupid things. Or maybe she should go and find some island where it’s just her. Then she wouldn’t hurt anyone again.

          Sighing, Layla nearly reached for her phone, nearly called her mother. Mom’s gone Mom’s gone Mom’s gone Mom’s gone. Hoping the chant would get it into her brain. She just didn’t seem to be able to remember that her mother wouldn’t be on the other end. Wouldn’t pick up.

          How long was it supposed to take until she’d finally understand? How much older would she have to be to finally feel like a grown up? And how was it that she still hadn’t figured out her own life?

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          I warned you all that this generation would be fairly dark in the end, and we’ve got a ways to go. Still lots of surprises, still a lot to show. And even a few bright spots amidst all the mess. But the mess is kind of the point. 

          A final quick note here: Layla has been incredibly spoiled up until this point. She couldn't figure out what to do when she left school or where she'd go even, so her Father stepped in and did it for her. On her vacation between leaving home and arriving in Appaloosa Plains others took care of her when she ended up stranded alone on an island. When she arrived in Appaloosa Plains her Aunt, Cousin, and Ned kept her on track. And now? Well, now she's being guided by a sim with, at best, questionable motives.

          Anyhow, I'm back ladies and gents! Home again and more than ready to get down to business with the some of the finer points coming up. So keep an eye out because there are big things afoot with the Sixkillers! Though the pool is going up today to so it'll still be slower than it will be during the school year. Yay for swimming in your own backyard with speakers and umbrellas and chairs and all the room you want and the music you want and the happy you want. Yay!

          Finally, because it seems I'm a Chatty Cathy today (Ha!), there are a few outtakes from this chapter up under the bloopers and outtakes tab.


          Thank you to all my readers who stuck around waiting for an update while I was running around the majority of the Southern US on vacation!!! You're all so awesome!