Yeah - Vidcund is the town paranoid in Strangetown - I've had issues with him, too.
Yes, very scary picture! Kind of gives you chills, doesn't it?
Chapter 7
It wasn't long before Pyrus came back in ghost form.
Though it gave me a bit of a start, I enjoyed seeing his ghost. I was his first scare.
Dad finally finished his book. He seemed pretty proud of himself.
That is, until his publisher called. The book isn't doing too well. Poor Dad.
It's time! Kenya gives birth in the bedroom (note our matching bedspread. It finally came in.) She gives birth to...
A beautiful baby girl with my golden eyes and both her parents' dark skintone. Her name is Alynna.
The baby days are pretty boring. Since Kenya and I still work some pretty long hours and my folks are retired, Mom takes care of Alynna for us. It seems like all she ever does though is poop,
eat,
poop,
eat some more,
and poop some more.
After a mind numbing infancy, Alynna's first birthday came.
And there she is! Isn't she precious?
And the first thing I do after eating my cake is put Alynna on the potty. No more dirty diapers!
This stuff will help a lot.
But potty training is still boring. Especially in the middle of the night.
I couldn't wait to teach Alynna the more exciting things in life, like walking.
And talking.
Me: Okay, Alynna, say 'Daddy'.
Alynna: No
Me: Sigh
Me: Come on, you can do it. Da dee. You try.
Alynna: No
Why is their first word always 'no'?
Alynna: Bottle
Me: Bottle! Very good!
Oh well. You have to take your successes when you can get them.
Parenthood is great. Just look at my little angel.
Me: I really appreciate you taking the time to potty train me, Mom. It sure is a lot of hard work.
In all the excitement we forgot to take a birthday picture. But here is our beautiful Alynna, heir to the Avalon Legacy, as a child. We are very blessed.
Sigh. Dad is so grouchy. I don't even know why he was lecturing Alynna. He's not happy unless he's complaining about something.
He was pretty proud of himself afterward, but Alynna wasn't impressed.
Isn't she a cutie?
She's just about the perfect child. And she learns so quickly. I just know she's going to aspire to knowledge like her dad and grandpa.
Awwww.
Me: Oh - don't do that sweetie. We don't eat the bubbles.
Alynna: Yuck!
I'm so excited to be a dad. I want the best of everything for my little girl. Today I built her a wedding pavilion, so when the time comes for her to get married, she can do it in style. It's a little premature, I know, but I just coulnd't help myself.
Dad really wanted to help Alynna with her homework. I let him. I kind of wanted to do it myself, but with such long hours it was difficult for me to squeeze it in.
Aw, poor child. Looks like Pyrus is making his rounds again.
There's that weird chick again. Claiming Kenya was spying on her with the telescope. I mean, does she really think we have nothing better to do than watch her?
You go girl! That's my wife. She's not going to take it without giving it right back. I'm so glad I married her.
Alynna: Can you help me catch a ladybug, dad?
Me: Gross. I hate bugs. They're creepy and crawly, and most of them are dirty.
Me: And let me tell you something else. Their legs are scratchy and hairy, and it really creeps me out when they crawl on me.
Me: Aw, not soup again! You know I hate the stuff!
The last time I ate your soup I burned my tongue! Why can't we have something else for dinner?
Alynna: Grandma, can you help me catch a ladybug after dinner?
Jess: I don't like bugs, dear. They're nasty little critters. Young ladies don't catch bugs.
Alynna was excited to get her first A+. See? I told you she was brilliant.
Aw. I don't care where you come from, that's just cute.
Elwyn: Alynna needs to clean up her toys. I just stubbed my toe on one of them.
Sigh. Pop is so grouchy.
Ow. He hits pretty hard for an old man. And enjoys it.
Alynna: Hey, what are you guys talking about?
Me: Nothing honey (snicker)
Alynna: Are you guys talking about Mom? I'm gonna tell!
Me: No (snicker), we're not talking about Mom. (Ha ha ha)
My parents are starting to act strange. I suspect they're getting senile. Today Mom took the breakfast dishes and wandered all the way out to the wedding pavilion, set them down, and then just stared at them. Like she couldn't remember what she was supposed to be doing.
And Dad has been saying the weirdest things.
Elwyn: You got to keep things clean, son. Otherwise the mess will draw rats.
Me: We don't have any rats, dad.
Elwyn: Of course we don't. Because I always keep the house impeccable.
Me: Sigh. Whatever, dad.
Dad isn't always a grouch. He enjoys playing with his granddaughter. The two of them have gotten pretty close.
I spend a lot of time reading to my little princess, too. Er, I'm not sure why we're reading in the bathroom. Maybe I thought it was the best place to read a story about toilets?
It's that time again. Time for the interview with the headmaster of the private school. I really want my daughter to go. It will be like a family tradition. Kenya greets him while I Mom cooks T-bone steaks. She told me that she made them when the headmaster came out for the interview when I was a child, and they were a hit.
Oh, they're a hit, alright. He scarfs them down like he's starving to death.
Unfortunately, I have business on the other side of the house, so I must witness this apalling display of manners.
I'm so disgusted I can barely hide my disdain for this type of behavior.
Ugh. Can you say 'Not Legacy Material'?
Like any pig, he's cleaned his plate before the rest of my refined family has even put a dent in theirs. If you ask me, I think we're too good for his school.
We pass with flying colors. I really expected no less.
He shook Kenya's hand, then just stood there creepily staring at her.
What the heck is he looking at?
Our lovely daughter in her uniform. She looks so smart.
This is what it's all about, folks. The essence of parenthood. Everyday when I get home from work, Alynna drops whatever she's doing, rushes outside, and gives me a big hug. It doesn't get much better than this.
Too soon, it's time to say goodbye to the childhood years and welcome the teens.
We all gather around and cheer her on. Go ahead, sweetie, blow out your candles and make a wish!
She just keeps getting prettier. I just know she's going to make us proud. She already has.
What will Alynna aspire to be? Will she follow the path of Knowledge, as Alwyn hopes, or will she want something else? What kind of person is she? Tune in to the next chapter to find out.
