7.32 Passing the Torch

“Do you think I look fat?”

“You know I’m all about that bass, ’bout that bass. No treble.”

“No treble?? So you do think I look fat! And you think I was too skinny before?!”

“Girl, you’re amazing just the way you are!”

“Why are you speaking like Mack??”

“Sorry. I’ve been hanging with him. He’s been pretty down since Nikki left. He came by one night after you had gone to bed, and he looked really messed up. He said, ‘Been around the world and I, I, I, I can’t find my baby. I don’t know when, I don’t know why, why she’s gone away. I don’t know where she can be, my baby.’ He seriously broke my heart. I thought she said she talked to him before she left!”

“She did! Maybe he thought she wasn’t serious. Maybe she hasn’t contacted him yet and he’s just worried because he hasn’t heard from her? I don’t know. Poor guy….So…do you think I look fat?”

“Myra…you haven’t gained a pound since I met you. It’s utterly amazing. Where is this coming from? I would love you if you gained 300 pounds!”

“I don’t know, I…I’m getting old. I feel like I’m gonna have to compete with your adoring fans…,” she trailed off.

“Whoa, whoa, WHOA! How did they get in this conversation? When have they ever been a problem? What are you implying, Myra??”

“Nothing! I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you’ve always been faithful to me. I just feel like, when I’m old, maybe you won’t think I’m sexy anymore,” she said with a long face.

“Oh, honey,” he said as he got up and grabbed her hands. “Beautiful girls all over the world I could be chasing but my time would be wasted. They got nothin’ on you, baby. Nothin’ on you, baby. They might say hi, and I might say hey, but you shouldn’t worry about what they say ’cause they got nothin’ on you, baby. Nothin’ on you, baby. Wow, that was fun! Would you be mad if I talked like that all the time?”

“Lance Pruett, you are one of a kind! I love you. Thanks for making me feel special.”

“Ok…one more…you know I’d catch a grenade for ya! Throw my hand on a blade for ya! I’d jump in front of a train for ya! You know I’d do anything for ya!”

“You’re such a sweet Sim,” she laughed. “But, please don’t jump in front of any trains, ok? Please?”

“As long as you are safe, I will promise you I won’t.”

Over the last few months, Lance was promoted several times and now only worked three days a week. He thought about retiring, but why quit working when he can make §3600+ a week plus bonuses? He spent the time with his lovely wife and investing in the future of his children–they both did.

The triplets were smart and were ok with their B average, but, Myra, being the great mom that she is and a perfectionist always pushed them to do their best. Alayna and Brady were already on the honor roll, and Owen was not far behind. It took him about a week to catch them due to a few wrong decisions he made in school, but one day he came home with excellent news.

“Guess who finally made the honor roll!!”

“No way,” Lance said.

“That’s great news, Owen,” Myra said. “I’m very proud of you!”

“Come here, son! I’m proud of you too!”

“Ummm…sarge, is it ok if I steal this cadet for a few hours,” Lance asked Myra.

“Oh…I suppose one night off won’t kill him. But don’t get used to it!”

“Sir yes sir,” he said and saluted Myra as they walked outside. “We have some things we need to talk about, son.”

He took him down by the pool to have a private “man to man” discussion.

“Owen…I’m old. I don’t have much time left, and there is a lot I haven’t taught you. Your mother and I have done well to make sure you’re a good student, but I don’t feel like I’ve prepared you to be a good Sim in the world–especially one in your position.”

“What’s my position, Dad?”

“Tell me…how much do you know about our family?”

“Ummm…not much. I know it’s big, that’s for sure. I know we’re the richest Sims in the neighborhood!”

“Ok. Do you know how we came to be so rich?”

“Not really.”

“All right. I’m going to tell you a story and give you advice the same way my father did to me. Six generations ago, this house was a tiny one room shack built by your great great great grandfather, Xavier Pruett. He started something called a legacy which is pretty much like the rules and regulations for how the family is to continue on. Every firstborn male is an heir and will inherit the house and the wealth which keeps being passed on generation after generation. Heirs must live in this house and are buried in the family plot over there. Do you follow me so far?”

“Yep.”

“Ok. Now, technically, you do not have to get married to have a child, but I think you’ll find it more satisfying if you take a wife. Not all of the Pruett heirs have had successful marriages, and we have had our fair share of family drama, but consider getting married. My father told me to find a Sim who I like and know her like my own reflection. I’ll say the same to you.”

“That’s all well and good, Dad, but what about this money? I can have a son anytime. Right now, I care about this money!”

“Money is nice, son. Really nice. But don’t let it run your life. Loving money can lead to some disastrous situations and relationships. Remember that, ok?”

“Yeah, ok, Dad. But how are we so rich?”

“The first thing I will say is hard work and dedication. Every heir except my father had a job and was very successful with it. Even though my father was unemployed, it didn’t mean he didn’t work. He was a great steward of this house. You ever notice how clean you feel after you take a shower, or how we have such fancy soap in the sink? Have you noticed how many channels we get on our TVs and how they are never broken? My father did all of that! You don’t have to make money to be a successful heir, Owen. You need to make a positive impact on this family and in the community. Now…here’s the key to our wealth…”

Owen leaned in closer to make sure he heard everything that was about to come out of Lance’s mouth.

“…the flowers.”

“Flowers??”

“Yep!”

“Seriously? How much are those babies worth then??”

“It varies depending on how fast or slow you harvest them. Now, despite what I just told you about hard work and dedication–and I stand by that 100% because it builds character–no one in this house really has to work. Most of the family that has lived here took jobs that made them happy. They got paid for doing what they love, and that is something you should be thinking about. Those flowers cover the bills with plenty left over to play with. The lilies were planted by Xavier himself and are the oldest of the flowers. They are worth around §19-25 per flower, and we have 10 of those bushes. We also have snapdragons and a hybrid flower that are worth about the same. But those blue flowers…those are the ones responsible for our fat account. Those flowers came from space!”

“Flowers from space? This sounds like a movie, Dad!”

“I know. Your great great uncle Jared was an astronaut, and he built that rocket over there. On one of his missions, he brought back some weird seeds, and those blue pods are what came out. Just one of those flowers is worth §216! And they keep increasing in value! One time, I harvested the flowers and sold them for §86,000!!”

“Whoooooa! That’s crazy, Dad!! Whew! I’m gonna be ROLLING in cash!”

“Yes, you are! But don’t let it change you. You’re a sweet boy…smart…don’t let riches ruin you.”

“Does that rocket still work?”

“Oh yeah! It works.”

“So…I could go and get some seeds if I wanted?”

“I suppose you could.”

They sat in silence for a while as Owen’s head was about to explode about all the money he was going to have.

“Hey, son…you know what else that rocket is good for?”

“What’s that?”

“Entertaining your lady…”

“EWWW! DAD!!!”