7.18 Nikki’s Story

My name is Nikki Pruett. I’m 15. These Sims behind me are supposed to be my family, but the jury is still out on that one. They think I’m happy, but I’m not. My dad is the one in the hat. He’s crazy. Like, literally, clinically crazy. He can’t even form a proper sentence unless it words from a song. I love him…but I can’t deal with him anymore. My aunt is his twin. She loves him too. He needs professional help, but she just can’t let them take him away.

She calls herself “taking care” of me, but I can take care of myself. She won’t tell me who my mother is. I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s not like I’m gonna leave and go live with her. I just think I have a right to know. She can’t be that bad. Aunt Theresa says that me, my dad, my grandma, and my great grandma look so much alike, we could be quadruplets. She’s probably right, but how much of me is my mom? I’m slightly darker than my dad, and my face is more round. Could those be my mom’s genes? Do I sound like her? Are any of my traits from her? I deserve to know!

They are oblivious to me. No one ever asks me what I think or feel. I’m just here. Existing, but not existing. I know what I need to do, but I lack the courage to do it. Maybe if I knew that things were not going to change I could do it. Let’s see.

“Are you gonna tell me about my mom, or what,” I asked.

“Nikki…we’ve been through this over and over again!”

“So you’re seriously never going to tell me about her? Ever?”

“I’m protecting you! Trust me. You don’t want to know her!”

“How do you think you can keep making that decision for me? Just because you don’t want to know her doesn’t mean I wouldn’t! Are you going to start thinking for me now??”

She just sat there stewing. She’s such a hot head! I don’t know how I’ve put up with this for so long. I feel sorry for my cousins. They can’t make these kinds of decisions on their own–not without her. She micromanages everything they do, and she tries to micromanage me. It ain’t happenin’, sister. I’m gonna find my own way in life.

“You are SO ungrateful,” she said. “I take care of you and your father, and all you can do is whine about your mother?? Where is the gratitude?! I took you in and raised you with my children! This is the thanks I get? You won’t get very far biting the hand that feeds you, little girl.”

“Look, Aunt Theresa! Just because you grew up without your mother doesn’t mean it’s ok for everyone else! Your mom died! Mine is still alive somewhere and I can’t even know her name! I’m done with this! I’m done with you running my life! I don’t need you to feed me!”

“Oh yeah? So where are you going to go then?”

“Anywhere but here!”

“Oh, ok. Have fun. You’ll be back. And when you do, you better be grateful!”

Yep. That did it. I found the courage to leave, but not without saying goodbye to my dad.

“I can’t stay here anymore, Dad. Your sister is ruining my life!”

“Your eyes, your eyes make the stars look like they’re not shining.”

“Oh, Dad. I know you love me…but you can’t take care of me.”

“Ain’t nobody in the world but you and I.”

“I know, Dad. You’re all I have too…but, I want more out of life.”

“I wish nothing but the best for you. Don’t forget me, I beg. I’ll remember you said, ‘Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.'”

Sometimes when he spoke, it almost sounded coherent. I always knew what he was trying to say, and that’s how we communicated. I was going to miss him terribly, but I couldn’t keep living like this. I’d be old at 21!

“So…you understand then? You’re not mad?”

“I ain’t mad at cha. Just live your life, ay ay ay.”

“I love you, Dad.”

“As we go on we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever. We will still be friends forever.”

“Goodbye.”

“Bye bye byeeee.”

That was it. I left the house that was technically my childhood home. Did I know where I was going? Nope. I just started walking. I’d eventually figure it out. I walked for a few hours. Sometimes in circles, sometimes in diagonal lines. Yes, I was lost, but I had to make it to somewhere familiar. I kept walking, and I ended up in a part of town I had never been. It was very nice. Must be where the uppity Sims live. I wondered if I was close to Myra’s house. I knew she would help me. I kept walking, and suddenly I came across the biggest, most stately home in the whole town. This had to be it.

Only one way to find out.

I really hope this is the right house.

Here goes nothin.

A female’s voice in the distance told me to come in. It must be nice to live in a place where you’re not concerned about locking your doors. I stepped into the house and was completely blown away. I had never been into a house worth even half of what this house was probably worth.

This is bananas.

The neutral white light bounced off the marble floors onto the white walls and into my eyes. I could hardly keep them open.

“Nikki?? It’s almost two in the morning! What on earth are you doing out?”

“I left home. I can’t stay there anymore.”

“Why?”

“My father is crazy…like, really crazy. He can’t take care of it. My aunt thinks it’s her job to run my life. She won’t even tell me who my mom is. And she’s soo mean, Myra! She says the most hurtful things to me.”

“How old are you, Nikki?”

“Fifteen.”

“So, you’re not legally allowed to care for yourself yet. What is your plan?”

“I don’t know, Myra! I just…I don’t know. I didn’t even plan to come here. I just ended up here.”

“I’m not saying I’m not going to help you, but I’m just trying to help you see all sides.”

“I don’t need to see all sides. I just need to get away from here. I need a new life where people aren’t keeping secrets and judging me. I want my own friends and my own life! I overheard you and Natalia talking about her leaving at the reunion. Maybe we can go together.”

“Ok. How about this…it’s almost 3:30 now, and you’re still going to school, you know. How about you stay here tonight, and then we’ll talk when you get home. Ok?”

“Fine.”

Walking through their home made me feel under dressed. Maybe I should have packed a few things before I left. She walked me to the guest room.

“You can sleep in here. This rooms has its own bathroom right here, and its right across the hall from the kitchen, den, and office if you need anything else.”

“I appreciate you helping me, Myra. I’m sorry to barge in so late. I just didn’t know what else to do.”

“It’s fine, dear. Get some sleep now.”

When she left the room, I did a happy dance. I had never had my own room before!

To be continued….