Year 1 - Spring - Bennett
It's Spring now here in Lazy River and I always think of Spring as a time for new beginnings, and it certainly has been.
Thorn, Reuben and Lucas have been busy building a new house for us, it's just across from my old house, right next to the river. All the men set off on a 4 day trip downriver at the end of winter, Callan wanted some medical teaching manuals and Milo wanted some catering equipment, while Thorn, Reuben and Lucas were on the lookout for building materials. They had cut down a lot of trees from the surrounding woods and stored them in the barn up at the old farmhouse to dry and season over the winter so they would be ready for any new building projects in the spring. This wood had been invaluable to us as there has been alot of new building going on.
I've been spending alot of time with Lucas, or should I say River has. He keeps getting distracted from his work and wandering over to play with her. It's a shame none of the women here like him as he would make a great father.
On the day they finished the new house Reuben took me aside. He felt that before I entered into a marriage with Thorn I should hear some truths about him, well Reuben isn't the type to beat around the bush and was quite blunt in telling me my husband-to-be had been sleeping with every woman in Lazy River, with the exception of Bridget. Even Bonnie! My best friend! How could she? How could he?
I had no choice but to end our relationship right there and then. How could I be a leader they respepcted if they were all sneaking round behind my back? Thorn was shocked that he'd been found out and begged me to give him another chance, but I had to stand firm and asked him to leave right away. It was very upsetting for River but hopefully she'll get over it.
Of course, I still had the problem of trying to juggle the repsonsibilities of running our little town with the responsibilities of being a mother. Then I noticed Reuben was still there, sitting playing chess, oblivious to what had just happened. And it was then I realised that he was the type of man I needed to marry, someone intelligent and with good judgement, not some hothead ruled by his..... you know.
I put my proposition to him and he agreed it was a great solution to my problems and we pronounced ourselves husband and wife right there and then. Initially he wasn't keen to move into my new house but he eventually agreed it was far enough away from the other settlers to be safe for them if he ever became a full zombie.
Surprisingly Thorn and Reuben are still good friends. Thorn comes round daily to visit River and collect some fresh eggs. He might not be husband material but he is still a great father.
River had a birthday and is now old enough to go to school. Lucas has set up a little school for her and Rose, they only go a couple of times a week to learn the basics and he gives them homework for the rest of the week. I'm not sure River is enjoying it, she just wants to climb trees and swim in the river, but it's something she has to do because who knows what the future will bring.
When they were away on their trip Reuben brought back a lab coat from the university, he wears it all the time now, even for doing the garden! It makes him feel like a real Scientist so I don't complain. He thinks he is making some advances in his experiments but we'll just have to wait and see how they turn out.
Do you remember those noises I heard outside my cabin? Well it wasn't zombies, nor was it gypsies or leprechauns or fairies or witches or whatever everyone else was claiming to have seen! It was...... well I'll let the others explain.
Stats:
Scout Bennett:
Career: Politics
Rank: State Assemblyperson
Badges: Gardening - Gold
Fishing - Bronze
Studied: Charisma - 9 points
Potty Trained River
Reuben Darcy-Bennett:
Career: Science
Rank: Field Researcher
Badges: Robotics - Gold
Gardening - Silver
Fishing - Bronze
Studied: Logic - 10 points
River Bennett:
Learned to Study