The house is a buzz of activity as twin girls, Mary and Elizabeth, arrive weeks before Ciara’s due date.   David has saved up quite a bit of vacation, so he takes the time off to help Ciara care for the newborn girls. Mark, grateful for the distraction, learns quickly how to cook for the family. And after a few burnt meals, his food becomes mostly edible.   Since the fight with Jayson at school, Mark has been avoiding just about everybody. He never really gave Melissa an answer about going steady. His opinion of Melissa changed when he heard her shouting … Continue reading Chapter 3.11 – Clarity

She awakens in a dimly lit room with the steady chirp of a heart monitor somewhere behind her.   After straining to pull together bits of random mental images, she gives up. Her insides hurt and her head throbs. She can feel the grip of heavy bandages around her torso, and the tightness of stitches underneath them. It is then that she realizes she is in a hospital bed …but why?   She assess the damage by flexing various muscles. Her legs and arms seem fine. But her midsection screams when she tenses her abdominal muscles. The pain is searing, … Continue reading Chapter 3.10 – Stud

Jacob’s birthday celebration comes amid a lot of tension between the Barimen siblings.   Having kid sisters who are also good friends with his girlfriend meant that news of yet another fight was sure to get back to them quickly. And just as expected, Claire is there to ask what happened as he comes home after the fight at the beach.   Mark’s breakup with Charlotte was not well received by either Deirdre or Claire. They both have become very good friends with Charlotte, and even helped to comfort her over the phone after Mark’s harsh words at the beach. Deirdre is … Continue reading Chapter 3.9 – Rift

Mark takes his chances and launches himself at Ali with an aggression that startles just about everybody.   Ali is a cruel kid with a wicked personality. But he is no match for his larger, stronger, and more aggressive foe. As the beat-down commences, Ali’s friends have second thoughts about intervening. Mark seems to have come off of his rails, and they do not want any part of it.   Ali emerges from the scuffle with a broken nose and a bloodied face. Mark returns Ali’s earlier gesture by grabbing him by the back of the head and shoving him … Continue reading Chapter 3.8 – Aggression

BREAKING NEWS! Military officials at Fort Gnome are confirming that seismic activity under Sunset Valley is being blamed for the collapse of an underground research facility.   Trauma teams were dispatched to the base early this morning, where numerous soldiers were treated in triage tents and transported to Sacred Spleen. Sources from within Fort Gnome indicate that a number of scientists from Landgraab Labs were also found among the dead and injured. David Barimen of Summerhill, a world-renowned surgeon, treated many of the injured. It is a fine bit of irony, as Dr. Barimen was rescued by Fort Gnome personnel … Continue reading Chapter 3.7 – Shrapnel

Mark’s birthday approaches faster than either David or Ciara want it to.   David’s job at the hospital was beginning to pull him away from his family. But the incident involving Mark, Deirdre, and Claire has given him a new perspective. David has taken Ciara’s advice and is spending more time with Mark. He is the kind of kid who needs constant channeling and redirection to keep him grounded. Looking back, David sees how Bebe had done the same thing with him, and he feels terrible for failing his son in this way.   As it turns out, the situation … Continue reading Chapter 3.6 – Clique

David arrives with Charlotte to find that Ali and his friends had already cleared out. The brawl had been scattered by an elderly couple who where in the park nearby, and heard the commotion. Mark and Ali had stopped fighting, but not before exchanging mutual threats.   Deirdre and Claire are unharmed, but shaken by the intensity of Mark’s fury in reaction to them being pushed around by Ali’s friends. Mark had surprised even himself. He hadn’t done any real harm aside from torn clothes and some nasty bruises. Had he been older or stronger, however, the outcome could have … Continue reading Chapter 3.5 – Burdens

A quiet air of solemness settles over the Barimen household in the days following Bebe’s passing.   Bebe’s remains are placed next to Julian’s at the family cemetery below the house. David had a small mausoleum built on the site where he and future generations can come to reflect. David spends much of his time at the cemetery over the next few days. The loss has been difficult for everybody. But the way in which Bebe prepared each of them by planting tiny seeds from her own wisdom, leads David to believe that his mother knew her time was near. … Continue reading Chapter 3.4 – Brawl

As a child, Bebe Hart found an old, abandoned cabin overlooking the ocean. It was her place to come when her mom and dad’s “illness” became too much for her to handle. She felt at home sitting among the brambles, hidden from sight. Sometimes she would come here to read. Other times she would pretend the cabin was her fairytale castle. She spent her childhood there, while the other kids did more “normal” activities. Her parents, of course, did not understand normal, so she came and went as she pleased most of the time. Being near the cabin soothed her … Continue reading Chapter 3.3 – Brambles

Mark manages to put himself back into a decent mood after having a long talk with his grandmother. Mark is almost a different person when he is with her. Bebe has a way of soothing him when his mood becomes grim.  She gave him a lot more attention when he was smaller. But since his sisters were born and Aunt Yuki moved to her own house, Mark has had more people to contend with for her time. He is not sure how or why, but she always seems to have the right thing to say. And this time is no different. She … Continue reading Chapter 3.2 – Milestones

If there is one constant to be observed in the Barimen household, it would be learning.   In one way or another, Mark and his sisters are being taught by one of the adults in the household. Bebe often instructs the children in painting, but still manages to instill the same moral upbringing she was taught as a child. Ciara is an artful storyteller; as she uses her guitar and her melodic voice to sing lessons she holds dear from her time at the convent.   David, being neither creative nor artistic sticks to the basics and uses simpler means to sharpen the … Continue reading Chapter 3.1 – Misfit

Prologue: The Barimen family has been able to enjoy a few years worth of prosperity. David has continued to invest heavily in Sunset Valley, and is either partner or full owner of five local businesses. Bebe’s paintings are in high demand, and fetch huge sums from private collectors. But as she gets older, she is not able to work the long hours she used to.   — She spends the precious time she has remaining bonding with her grandchildren . She loves them as any grandmother would; and more. But there has, and always will, be a special bond between her … Continue reading Chapter 3 – Mark