Chapter 1.46

Chapter 1.46- There Is No Forever

            Two phone calls that morning left Layla with a stomach nervous enough that she had turned down breakfast. One ensured her future was ready and waiting for her. The other would force her to cut the final link to her past.

            Watching the students pilot the boat on the day Phedra had aged up and left herself had left an impression on Layla. And while she wished she had actually listened to her sister, she thought it might be the right place to talk to Anthony.

            Unfortunately, the boat isn’t out today. Instead she stares at where the river bends, winding between the hills beyond. Her berth on the same ship that sailed away with Phedra will take her away too that night.

            “It’s nice out here,” Anthony’s stomach must be as nervous as Layla’s, he keeps rubbing it. “Why didn’t we ever come here before?”

            “It’s one of the last places I saw Phedra,” said Layla. “I still miss her terribly. And being here makes it worse.”

            “Maybe you just need to make some happy memories here,” said Anthony. “Then it wouldn’t be so bad for you.”

            “It’s never going to erase my time here with Phedra,” Layla shot back, annoyed slightly. “I was stupid that day and didn’t listen very well to what she had to tell me. I’d give anything to go back and hear her.”

            “I take it that’s your hint to me to listen to you? Or is how you’re telling me that there won’t be any happy memories made here?”

            ‘Damn him,’ Layla hadn’t wanted to start this out with any hostility. She didn’t want it to end with hostility either.

            “It’s my hint to you to please actually listen to what I have to say.”

            “I’d listen to you forever if you’d only give me the chance.”

            “Anthony there is no forever,” sighed Layla. “I’m leaving tonight.”

            In a reversal, this time Anthony was the one to nod. Though since Layla had her back to him she couldn’t see it.

            “When we first made our agreement, that was really what I wanted. Just someone to get Galen off my back. And really, I should never have said I’d do that. Phedra had already warned me that doing something like that meant someone would get hurt.”

            “And for a really long while I had every intention of breaking the whole thing off. I wish you could know just how angry I was with you when you kissed me. And I should have known just how deep this would all get then.

            “I’m so sorry Anthony. I’m so sorry that I might have led you on for my own purpose. I’m sorry that I might have given you false hope. I’m so, so sorry that I can’t feel for you what you feel for me.”

            “Can’t?” Anthony burst out. “Why is it 'can’t?' Have you tried? Have you even thought about trying? Considered it? Actually done it? How many times have you told me what a great guy I am? Were you just saying it to say it? What about all those conversations? The long walks? The time and effort I put in with you by my side? Were you even really there?”

            And as she opened her mouth to give an angry retort he dropped to his knees beside her.

“What'll you do when you get lonely

 And nobody's waiting by your side?

 You've been running and hiding much too long.

 You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.

 Layla, I'm begging you darling please.

 Layla, darling won't you please ease my worried mind.”

            Horrified, Layla covered her ears. What the hell?!?

“Let's make the best of the situation

 Before I finally go insane.

 Please don't say we'll never find a way

 And tell me all my love's in vain.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.

 Layla, I'm begging you darling please.

 Layla, darling won't you please ease my worried mind.”

            “Oh my PlumbBob, Anthony. I’m begging you please cut that out!”

            “Only if you’ll stay here and marry me. Or let me go with you. Just say you’ll be mine and I’ll stop.”

            “Have you listened to me at all?”

            Her outburst startled Anthony, who settled back on his heels. He’d never witnessed her get angry before.

            “Anthony you are a great guy. A Great guy! But you’re not the guy for me. And honestly, your pushing on this tells me I’m not the one for you either. This isn’t what I want! I don’t want here. I don’t want to live with high school for my entire life! I want to see who else might be out there for me! And before that I want a chance to live! To live as myself and on my own.”

            Turning to Anthony, Layla sighed. Judging by the look on his face he still didn’t hear her.

            “Anthony,” her voice more controlled this time. “Anthony, do you even know my thoughts on kids? On careers? On what makes a home?”

            Unanswering, unflinching, Anthony sat still as a stone.

            “Ok, I’ll start with my thoughts on 9 to 5’s. Hate ‘em. I think they’re stupid. Neither of my parents worked regular jobs and I loved that. They were home more with us. And it made us a closer family. On kids. Maybe I’ll have a baby or two one day, but I’m in no rush. And even then I’m not sure kids are in my cards, ever. And this is all just a taster. I’m sorry Anthony. Really, really sorry. But it really isn’t me you want.”

            “Please don’t leave me! Please, please don’t leave me!”

            Anthony had nearly thrown her off balance as he grabbed onto her wrist pulling her closer.

            Pity welling up, she stroked his hair, trying to calm him a little.

            “I’m so, so sorry, Anthony.”

            Tugging her hand out of his grasp, Layla turned from him walking off.

            Not having the will to fight her any longer, Anthony’s shoulders slumped, knees wet from the moist grass beneath him.

            Knowing more than seeing his dejection, every step Layla took was fresh torture for her. Until she finally realized she hadn’t said what needed to be said most.

            Turning to see him still kneeling, eyes closed made her hate herself further. Steeling herself for the possibility a new onslaught of tender declarations from him she hesitantly walked back.

            “Anthony?”

            He made no response to his softly spoken name.

            “Anthony,” she sighed. “Anthony please you’ve got to understand that it was never me you fell for. It was only the idea of a girl like me. You’re such an amazing sim. And maybe, maybe one day you’ll wake up and you’ll find you’ve moved on. And there is another sim much more wonderful than I am standing in front of you waiting. Maybe she’s been waiting for me to make way for her all along. You’re going to find someone so much better than I am one day. I can only hope that when that sim shows up you’ll look past your memory of me.”

            Pausing for a moment to take a breath, Layla carefully thought through everything she could to make sure she said the right words to east his grieving.

            “I’ll always regret that I couldn’t be the person you needed me to be, but it’s time for you to forget me. It’s time for you to start your life without me by your side. And I’ll even bet that you’ll be spectacular at it.”

            Feeling his shoulders begin to shake beneath her hands, Layla stopped speaking.

            “Goodbye.”

            Tears finally slipped beneath Anthony’s closed lids as she turned to walk away.

            One step farther away from him.

            The next step her resolve strengthened.

            Another step for Cyrus, whom she was determined to find.

            And each step she took was heavier, harder and more freeing.

            One day, she hoped to wake up and find her own regret dissolved and forgotten. One day…

End Generation 1.

Bonobo- Stay the Same Feat. Andreya Triana

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            All hail the conquering Heeero!!!!! DA daduduDa duduDA! I finished the first generation! Finally! I got WAY too into the story. Teehee.

            Alrighty, some wonderful wrap up notes:

            Anthony was begging Layla with the lyrics to “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos. (here) Written, of course, by Eric Clapton to his (then) unrequited love Pattie Boyd. If you look at a history of the song, it was heavily influenced by the tale “Layla and Majnun” a story of Persian origin recounting the story of Layla, a Moon Princess, and Majnun, who was in love with her. However, Layla’s father gave her in marriage to another man and Majnun eventually went insane pining over her. So I believe there's plenty of justification for breaking into song with her name. lol.

            However, Layla was not originally named for this song, and her story as a teen was not intended as a parallel. Also, originally I intended to spell her name more traditionally, Leila. But I changed it in order to use the lyrics later on a little more literally. But most importantly here, Layla’s name had very particular meaning compared to her siblings and Helen’s name. Specifically, the definition is opposite the definition of Helen, Cyrus, Phedra, and even Galen. Their names all have meanings related to “light,” Layla (i.e. Leila) means “Dark as Night.” 
            Curious over Generation 2 yet?



            MwuaHahahahaha! Stay tuned. ;)

Chapter 1.43

Chapter 1.43- Intentions

            Early the next morning Layla had run out the door to go to her very own Fortress of Solitude to think. Her Daddy had indeed made her promise to break things off with Anthony sooner rather than later, and she had no idea how to do it. Hoping a little alone time with the snow would help her come up with something she’d headed out.

            Thankfully the crunching of the snow alerted her of a visitor long before he’d arrived. She didn’t even need to turn to guess who would be out looking for her in this weather on a Saturday morning.

            “You know,” Anthony finally spoke from behind her. “You know I stumbled across these very bales of hay just yesterday. Coming across them out here in the middle of nowhere, no farm in sight, I knew that you had put them here. But you weren’t here. So I thought I’d check again today, and here you are.”

            Layla nodded. She had indeed dragged the heavy bales up here to have a softer place to sit a long time ago. She’d never intended to bring anyone here after bringing Buck, and she’d never thought anyone would stumble onto it on their own.

            Making his way around Layla is surprised to see that he is about to sit.

            “If your pants aren’t water-proof-“

            Anthony sat heavily on the snow covered hay.

            “-You’ll get wet if you sit on the snow.” Layla finished helplessly. She didn’t want him here. She wasn’t ready for this yet.
            However, for nearly five minutes, she didn't have to worry about that as he didn't say anything to her. Just sitting there. Thinking. Exactly like she was.

            “On the day I aged up, yesterday, my step-mother came into my room to see me,” Anthony spoke quietly at last, but Layla could feel something else. Something a little sinister.

            “Since I’m now an adult I have no right to her monetary support. I have no right to take up room her own children could use as play room. And she kicked me out.”

            It was all said so matter-of-factly. As though it didn’t rip him to shreds that his dad had allowed this to happen, that he wouldn’t be seeing his siblings any longer.

            “I can’t believe she’d do that,” whispered Layla, scowling.

            “Well, she did.”

            Thinking about anyone being so mean to someone so nice consumes Layla for a moment until she realizes she’s about to do it too.

            “What did you do after she told you to leave?”

            “I packed up my clothes and some things of mine. Dad gave me some of the pictures of my mom that were in the house and a nice wad of cash. Then he helped me call around to find a place to rent with this old dude, Henry McGrub.”

            “McGrub?” Layla repeats thinking he’s made the name up.

            “McGrub. He’s a cook down at the diner. At least someone in the house can cook. I just burn everything.”

            The gentle hiss of the snow was the only sound between the two for a few minutes as Layla digested what he had said. She’d heard lots of pretty awful things about his step-mother, but could hardly imagine that someone would just sever the link between father and son, brothers and sisters like that. Anthony’s half-brother and sister were just toddlers. Would he even get to know them?

            “So I came to see what your plans were,” finally, Anthony broke the quiet. “You and Galen age up tomorrow, right? What are you going to do once you’re legal?”

            “Leave,” Layla doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m going to leave.”

            “Okay,” Anthony kept his voice as level as he could. “Okay, well what about when you come back? What are you going to do then?”

            Sighing, Layla shook her head searching for the right words.

            “I’m not coming back,” said Layla quietly, hoping that straight shooting was best.

            Sitting upright as though an electric jolt had hit him Anthony gave a squawk.

            “You’re not coming back?”

            “No,” anger coloring her tone. “No, I’m not coming back. I’m not going to live here. I don’t even like it here. I never have. If you ever would have asked I would have told you that.”

            “How was I supposed to know to ask?” Another explosion from Anthony. "I’m not a psychic Layla, I can’t read your mind and you’ve never, never, hinted about this at any other time we’ve talked. What’s wrong with here?”

            “I just want to run and jump and play with the wind in my hair and no one telling me what to do. I want to see something else of the world! I want to explore something different! I want to be free!” Trying to lighten the mood a little, Layla said in a little girls voice, sing song and chirping.

            “Seriously,” annoyed and hurt, Anthony’s look burned into Layla’s stomach.

            “I am being serious,” whispered Layla back. “I’m leaving because I don’t fit here and I feel that and believe that and I want to see somewhere else and what it’s like. I don’t want what this little town offers. And as cliché as this may sound, I just want more.”

            Curled into a ball to protect herself from further questions that she didn’t have very good answers to, Layla closed her eyes, wishing he would leave.

            But he didn’t leave. Instead he sat there as still and stony as Layla herself.

            “You know,” spoke Anthony. “You know I always thought you were pretty special. Not just pretty like the other boys at school all said. But there was something else about you. You held yourself apart and above all the petty crap that goes on there. And though you obviously didn’t do badly, you didn’t seem too concerned about your grades. Your brother was the popular one, but you refused to march to the “in-crowds” drum.”

            Sighing, he paused, letting the words sink in.

            “I purposely arranged to run into Galen and get invited to help you with your homework at your house. It took me two days to come up with how to do it. I knew I wasn’t someone Arden wanted around her boyfriend’s sister, but I had to try. And I got it to work by lying about my intentions about you, to you. I can’t tell you how much happiness you’ve given me. First by just saying you were my girlfriend. My girlfriend. And then by acting like it.”

            “I slept better, and started actually caring about other things again just because of the way you lit my entire life up, Layla. At home things were miserable with Amie and my step-mom, but I could leave it all behind and still be right there just by thinking about how when the light hits your hair right, there are golden glints in it. And how your eyes sparkle and dance when you’re happy. How your every curve is so soft and inviting when you move, when you walk.”

            Listening in silence, Layla just hopes some freak meteor will streak down and kill her. It’s the only thing that could make this any better.

            “And I was happiest when I could plan a future for us. For us together. And you’re leaving.”

            Unable to hold it in any longer, Layla hated herself, and let out a small quickly stifled sniffle.

            Hearing her agony, Anthony is swiftly by her side, kneeling in the snow.

            “Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything at all for me either, Layla. I know that’s not true.”

            Shaking her head a little is the best answer Layla can give. She can’t lie.

            “Look, you don’t have to answer me now. You can think about it a little. But plans can be changed, and you can have time to think.”

            “I don’t want to hurt you any further, sweetheart, by pushing for something you aren't ready for. I just want to say a few things more. Please. Please hear me out.”

            Nodding wordlessly, Layla can’t deny that she’ll listen to anything he has to say. She can’t stop her ears up any more than she can suddenly fly away. No matter how much she wants to.

            “Layla, I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, been so patient for you to grow to like me back. And I can wait forever if I need to, I can wait for you. Go out and see something of the world. And then come back to me. Or we can go together even. Just-just think about it. Please.”

            Standing up as suddenly as he had knelt at her side, he took a few paces from his beloved’s side before turning back to her.

            “Please, just think about it. Think about all we could do together. How good we are together. And after you age-up, you can give me your answer then.”

            The sun peeked behind a cloud as Layla curled herself tighter. But it held no warmth for her, only a blinding pain and a realization that the day was already half gone.

            “I love you, Layla.”

            Hearing the crunching of his footsteps as he walked away left Layla more anguished than she had ever been. Phedra had warned her that someone would get hurt. Buck had told her that she had strung this out too long. And the entire time, she had no idea just how right they both were.

            She was a horrible, horrible sim. How could she even imagine torturing him like this? What was wrong with her? He’d been through enough and she had the power to make him happy!

            Quickly uncurling herself, she twisted around. A cry for him to come back on the very tip of her tongue ready to take flight and make him the happiest of sims. But as she took in a sharp ice-cold breath she found she had no voice. She couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t bring herself to say those heavy little words.

            Would life with him be so awful? No, no it wouldn’t. She’d probably even grow to love him back one day. But that just wasn’t what she wanted. And she just couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t do it.

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Eff Sim Torture, I’m a horrible, horrible person to do that to Anthony. And his step-mom (read: SP) really did kick him out the second he aged up. It was sad. Though he had bought his own home I moved in Henry McGrub with him because I needed a second in his house. I’ve got a few outdoor lots placed to shoot on, but this lot and one other that is going to be in an upcoming scene are a little too small to do what I want with the walk-aways. So I need to take control of him and don’t want to leave a household with 4 cats in it (He’s the crazy-cat man!)  while I moved him back and forth. So he gets a roommate as consolation for the torture I’m putting him through. *facepalm
Also, I think the guy  might be called McGlum? But I can't remember and quite frankly McGrub is better for me.

Chapter 1.40

Chapter 1.40- Assumptions

            Prom night marked a change in Layla and Anthony’s relationship. When they were together, she found it easier to talk to him. Sometimes, they even voluntarily held hands walking down the halls at school. She had gotten used to him being there, and it was comfortable. Kind of like an old shoe.

            Once she had realized it for herself, she finally decided to take him up to the lookout spot she had taken Phedra on her last day in town. It wasn’t Layla very favorite place, but she wasn’t ready to share that with anyone just yet.

            “The view up here is nice,” Anthony told her.

            “Yeah, it is. It’s a lot higher than it looks from the road. You can see most of town really clearly. The river too.”

            “Yeah it’s nice,” Anthony responded.

            Layla nodded feeling the unusual tension between them. Turning slightly away she wondered what was wrong with him today. He was due to age up in just a day or so and would be graduating. Finally, he could move on and Layla had figured that should make him happy.

            “So,” said Anthony. “So what’s next?”

            Crossing her arms in front of herself protectively, Layla frowned. What did he mean by ‘What next?’ Hadn’t he said that he wanted her to take him to a place she actually haunted in better weather? She’d brought him here, what more did he want?

            “What do you mean? I thought you wanted to see where I went?”

            “That’s not what I meant.”

            “Then what did you mean? ‘Cause I’m a bit lost.”

            “Yeah,” Anthony nodded heavily. “Yeah, you are.”

            “And that is supposed to mean-what?” Layla was getting a little exasperated.

            “It just means that you just don’t know,” said Anthony. “You don’t know what goes on in my head at all. And by what next, I’m kind of asking where we go from here.”

            “Home?”

            “See,” Anthony reached up to run his fingers through his hair in agitation. “See that’s what I mean. You don’t know- you don’t get… I’m not starting this right.”

            ‘Didn’t get and know what?’ How is it that that was the best he could offer her?

            “I want to know where we go from here,” said Anthony, haltingly. “I don’t mean where we walk to from here. Yeah it’s getting late and almost time to be home if we don’t want to freeze, but I’m not talking about physically and separately. I’m talking about-about us. About us as a unit, as a couple.”

            For a wild moment, Layla’s heart fluttered before she stilled it with an ounce of cold reason. They were only in this ‘relationship’ as a convenience. It was a fraud and a sham. It was only for the sake of appearance and weren’t they both on board with that? Wasn’t that the original agreement, presented by Anthony himself no less.

            “I thought this was only so that Selena would leave you alone, and my brother would leave me alone,” scowled Layla. “If I remember, you were the one to originally propose this course.”

            “It was indeed my idea to pretend,” Anthony conceded. “But that was a long time ago. And we’ve spent a lot of time together. We’ve talked a lot, we’ve even been to prom. I think we have a lot in common.”

            Layla nodded, still frowning.

            “I think that if we broke this off the moment I aged up, you’d just be beset at school again. We should probably wait until you age up before going our separate ways.”

            That wasn’t what she had been expecting to hear. It also created a strange conflict within herself. She found that shewas both glad he said it, and at the same time was angry with herself for being glad.

            She didn’t want to be tied to anything here. She hadn’t wanted a boyfriend in the first place. She wanted to be alone and free so she could run her life her way. Or was it what she wanted?

            “Of course,” Anthony continued. “I’ve gotten rather used to you. Sometimes, it’s rather nice to be able to talk to you about things. Maybe you could change your mind.”

            “No.” Layla whispered the single word so low the hiss of the falling snow almost muffled it entirely.

            “And why not, Layla?” The outburst surprised her. She looked quickly at him, saw the pleading look, looked away in agony.

            She couldn’t answer. Couldn’t trust he voice. So she shook her head, pummeling her emotions to keep them under control. Trying to understand why her emotions were reacting in the first place.

            “We’re so alike. Loners. Outsiders. Quiet. Smart. Unsure, unsteady and we fit so well. We’ve protected each other. We’ve stuck together. We’ve shunned friends and family to make it work. Why couldn’t it work better?”

            Layla still didn’t answer, she didn’t have one. And so they stood in silence, together and worlds apart at the same time. Searching through her mind Layla couldn’t come up with an answer, and until she had one she could reason through soundly she didn’t trust her voice.

            Finally, the sun sank below the mountains and a cloud slid over the sunset, making the light drop dramatically.

            “Then I guess it’s time for me to go home,” Anthony’s voice had a catch that caught Layla’s heart. But it was too late. He’d already turned and left, leaving her at the top of the hill with even more questions.

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            Sitting on the couch with Galen to watch some TV was a new comfort to Layla. Since becoming teenagers the two had drifted so far apart that it was hard for her to believe she had a twin sometimes. But since the computer matter had been smoothed over Galen had sought her out more. In return, she began to seek his company on occasion as well.

            “I can’t leave the house I’ve decided,” Galen said. “I know Arden wants to build something new and fresh, but this house is home. And since we’ve redone my room I think I’d rather just stay here.”

            “Really?” Layla was very interested in hearing this, since Galen had long ago informed her that she was going to be expected to live in the house with Anthony so Galen and Arden could build and live on their own. Maybe her plans to leave could be smoother in this aspect at least.

            “Yeah,” Galen answered. “I think Arden is aiming a little too high for us. Especially to begin with. This house is home for me. I just want to stay. Is that okay with you?”

            “Yes!” she breathed hardly daring to trust her voice.

            Layla was nearly giddy. This decision could really make leaving so very much easier for her. She wouldn’t have to worry about fighting with Galen, (and Arden by proxy) leaving him to the unnecessary worry over their parents. She’d never really understood why he seemed to think they needed someone to look after them. Maybe it was another of Arden’s ideas. It didn’t matter to her anymore who had cooked it up. She could go now. She could go now and be-

            And it hit her. She still had to deal with Anthony. She wasn’t entirely untangled yet. But she could be. If only everything could be so painless. No one was supposed to get hurt and until now it had been feeling like all she was going to do was hurt everyone. Now, the person to be hurt was the one Phedra had warned her would be hurt most by her selfish decision: Anthony.

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            “How much further, sugarbaby?” Buck asked Layla for the umpteenth time.

            “We’ve still got aways to go, but we’re a lot closer than the last time you asked!”

            Buck had been watching his baby girl struggle with an invisible weight on her thin shoulders for too long now. Though he’d only had his answer for a day or so he didn’t feel like he could hold it in any longer. So he had asked her to take him somewhere private and comfortable where they could talk, really talk.

            Layla plowed on, leaving Buck to struggle further forward.

            “Don’t leave me too far behind, now!” Buck called after her half alarmed.

            She stopped and stood waiting for him.

            His request had taken her by surprise. Even more surprising that the first place she thought of was just ahead. It had become her sanctuary and she’d never allowed anyone to find it. But taking her Daddy seemed natural. He was the one who taught her to love being outside, and so he should love this place just as she had.

            Finally managing to catch up to her, panting slightly Buck laughed.

            “When I said somewhere comfortable,” he said. “I had rather imagined that it would be someplace indoors with a roaring fire and comfortable chairs.”

            Layla nodded. She knew that. But this was far more comfortable for her, and much more private than anywhere indoors that she knew of in town.

            “Still not telling me where we’re going, eh?”

            Grinning broadly, Layla shook her head at him. He knew better than to ask even.

            And so the pair trudged on through the snow until they crested the next hill. There, just over the rise were a few bales of hay, and a large rock. Layla indicated that he could sit, and she did so as well.

            “Alright then,” Buck didn’t waste any time. “You care to tell me what’s had you so upset and worried the past few days? Care to tell me why your boyfriend ages up today and you’re not with him? You havin’ a tiff?”

            Almost immediately, Layla put her gloved hands on her face.

            Buck waited for her to speak, trying to give her plenty of time to organize her thoughts. It was hard though, seeing her distressed and upset. All he wanted to do was help. But he was going to have to figure out if his assumptions were correct first. And so he waited.

            Finally, she drew a shuddering breath, keeping her hands on her head.

            “Kind of,” she admitted. “Kind of not.”

            Feeling the relief of confession, Layla spilled her entire tale to her Daddy. How the relationship was really just an agreement. How Galen had been tormenting her with potential suitors. How Phedra had told her to be confident but wouldn’t take her along. How all she wanted to do was to see a little more of the world, but without having a place to start.

            Listening in silence was easy for Buck. He’d come with a large stock of patience and her story was rather absorbing if a little confusing. If Galen had been attempting this, why hadn’t she come to him? He’d have put a stop to it. And why did Galen seem to think he and Helen needed ‘looking after?’ They were getting older, sure, but they weren’t senile. They weren’t incompetent or frail. Buck could also have told Layla that getting close to anyone for any reason would spell trouble eventually if she didn’t want to be close in the first place. He could have guided her in finding a way out of town that wasn’t just ‘pack my bags and run.’ Shoot. Even Phedra should have told her that. Or maybe Layla should have observed that. No matter. It was a mess, and a rather sticky one at that.

            Once her tale was spent, Buck took a deep breath hardly sure of where to start.

            “Well, Laydee-bug,” he spoke slowly, still trying to absorb. “I’d say that first off, you should have come to your mom or me a long time ago. Especially about Galen, or Arden. Whichever one is trying to force you into a relationship.”

            Layla nodded. Looking back, that was obvious. But it was too far in the past now.

            “Second of all, I know you’ve got the money to travel, but why haven’t you been making plans, looking for where you want to go and how to get there? It’s okay to want to try your wings. It’s not okay to just run off without a plan. That’s irresponsible and could be dangerous. Your mom and I’ve traveled a little. We coulda helped ya.”

            Pausing to take a breath, swallow a little personal pain, Buck went on.

            “In fact,” Buck paused again. “In fact I think I might have a place for you to go to start. Somewhere with family even.”

            Surprised, Layla looked up a little. Had he found Cyrus?

            “I made a phone call a few days back, several of ‘em. Got in touch with Trigger, my brother, yer uncle. He and ‘is famly live out West on the farm I grew up on. The town is little, but it’s close to lots a’ bigger ones. It’s got mountains, an’ a river. They could ‘elp ya set up a place to stay fer a spell. See if ya like it. See if ya don’t. They’d ‘elp make sure ya weren’t lonely or anything.”

            Swallowing hard, Buck stopped for a moment. He really didn’t want to lose Layla. But if she insisted on going, he’d rather send her to Trigger than to the world at large.

            Even her posture displayed her interest in this idea. She’d heard Buck mention Trigger a few times. He was supposed to be pretty decent. But she’d really never thought to ask about him further. Buck had said family. Were there cousins?

            And then she took another look at her dad. He was upset. He was sad. Maybe she shouldn’t be quite so eager.

            “I think,” she said. “I think that would be great. I think it would be an awesome place to start. Out West…”

            “It’s a small town. Not much there, ‘bout the same as here far as places to go goes. Not a ton of people either. So if yer looking to go to some big crowded city this wouldn’t be it. Don’t want ya to think I’m offering New Sim City or anything. Ain’t like that.”

            “I only would like to see a city,” Layla hurried to reassure Buck. “I don’t think I’d like all the people. But somewhere close to one could be nice. It could be just right.”

            Steeling himself for the other matter he still had to clear up with her, Buck turned.

            “An’ what about this ‘Boyfriend?’”

            “Anthony?” she asked almost dreamily. She was still exulting about having a place to go when she aged-up.

            “He’s yer boyfriend.”

            Layla scoffed.

            “Well he is. And it sounds to me like the two of ya have gotten close. Close enough that yer actually conflicted over leavin’ ‘im. That he’s wantin’ more. Maybe even wantin’ ta settle down with ya.” It upset Buck a little to think that she could treat another person’s feelings so lightly.

            “I don’t know, Daddy. I just don’t know. I’ve been trying to figure it out myself.”

            Sighing heavily, Buck nodded. At least that was an answer. “If ya don’t know fer sure, then it ain’t meant ta be.”

            “I like him. I like being with him. Do I see forever with him? I don’t even see forever with me. And right now all I see is ‘west.’”

            Silence wrapped around the pair for a moment. Layla blinking rapidly, Buck sighing repeatedly.

            “Well,” he finally broke the silence. “Yer gonna have to end it. Ain’t fittin’ fer my Laydee to be stringin’ any boy along.”

            Nodding, Layla sniffled a bit then stood up Buck followed suit.

            Once he was steady on his feet, Layla sidled over to him, grabbing his hand and squeezing lightly. Then she put her head on his chest.

            “Thank you Daddy,” she whispered in a choked voice. “Thank you so much.”

            “Love you too, Laydee-bug.”

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            So Buck’s big plan was to get in touch of his long lost brother and bury the hatchet so Layla would have someone to turn to while still being able to getting out. Now you know. Also. <3 Buck.