Prologue: Wedding
Remember how I said Mother was always at those meetings? Even though she was now the boss, she still held meetings all day. Because of this, she celebrated her birthday alone outside work.
She was now an elder. Even then she couldn't take a break. She continued to work, holding meetings after regular business hours and on weekends. We rarely saw her.
Even Father found himself eating alone some days. He would visit the local bistro and eat outside alone because Mother was away at work.
Since both Malcolm and I were now in high school together, we would often times help each other with homework.
When he would go over to the Bunch household to hang with Arlo, Arlo's sister would take time to help Malcolm. Though he was a bookworm, it seemed math and science troubled him.
On one of the days that Mother was actually home, Father had a small family celebration. He became an elder just like Mother.
It was that same night that Malcolm became an adult in the middle of the night. He no longer was in high school, and that is when he began to forget about his little brother. I can't really blame him, he had joined the Athletic job track, and was moving up quickly. He just didn't have time for me.
Though he and Mother always had time to talk. Father had finally convinced Mother to retire, so she would focus on how well Malcolm was progressing. He was a workaholic just like Mother too.
It became all about exercising for him. Even when Bella would visit, he would force her on a machine to work off any excess weight.
To him it was all about the trophies, even the wife ones. Poor Bella never knew what she was getting into.
That night she celebrated her birthday with the family. Her family was not invited. While the Bacholer's where a long town resident, they were 'middle class'. Only Bella had potential in Mother's eyes.
Malcolm wasted no time in proposing to Bella. She accepted of course, and the wedding date was set for that weekend. It would be held on the family estate.
I, like the good brother I was, attended. I was not happy though. Sure, my big bro was making the next step into adulthood, and I really did think Bella was a nice girl. I just was unhappy that day because my girl was 'under no circumstances' to attend. This was a family event, and she would NEVER be family.
As you can see all of Sunset Valley's big families were there.
The two exchanged vows and rings in front of all those that attended. It made Father smile, and I think Mother cried a tear or two. Her eldest son was now married. I like to pretend that I had a chance at inheriting the family homestead, but I think even then I secretly knew that Mother always wanted the 'good' son to inherit. After all, he was just like her, and HE never brought home 'trash'.
I noticed that our neighbor Mr. Alto decided to scare my brother. Now, I have a bit of a short temper so you'll have to excuse my next actions.
I mocked the old geezer. How dare he come to my brother's wedding and scare him?
I then made it clear he was no longer welcome at this house if I had anything to do with it.
The next day I met Brie at the way far corner of town. I wanted to share a secret with her.
After the wedding, and my altercation with Mr. Alto, Mother had pulled me aside. She had explained to me that while Mr. Alto was not a well liked man, and some could even say a family enemy, I was to apologize for my behavior before he left the house.
It would never do to let our emotions rule our public behavior. Hadn't she made friendly with him just so she could advance at work? As a good son, I would have to learn how to behave properly if I had even intended to do anything with my life. Why couldn't I be more like Malcolm?
It had made me angry, and it was then I started to plan. Plan for what you ask? Why, for my escape. An escape from the confines that high society put you in. I wasn't allowed to think, breath, or act normal. I had an image I had to project, and watch at all times.
I would have to focus on getting on honor roll at school.
I would have to get a part time job in town. Little did they know that it helped me in my plans, but I let my parents think it was because I was starting to 'accept my place' in the family.
I had also started to collect things. Small things that my parents never noticed. Uncut gems to sell, as well as other things.
Insects that the local Science Facility were always eager to buy from me.
And seeds.
I used some of the seeds to plant and create a small garden beside the waterfall. It would be ready for me when I made the move. It was my intentions to use all of these things to raise enough money to buy myself the empty plot of land beside the waterfall. I had to do it with my own money though. I would take nothing from my parents, not that I kidded myself they would give me any once they realized I was leaving.
I then asked Brie if she would still love me if I had nothing. Brie quickly reassured me that she loved me for me, not for my money or my family name. I felt a joy at that moment I had never felt around my family. I was making the right decision, and Brie would stand beside me in a way Mother or Father never would if they knew.
But one night I forgot myself. I was out way past curfew collecting seeds when the police caught me.
They escorted me home.
Father was waiting for me, and he had a few choice words to say to me. He kept drilling me to see if I was with 'that girl'. I was to grow up and accept the reality that she was nothing but a passing interest.
He just wouldn't listen to me that I was collecting seeds to start a garden. To him vegetables were something to be bought at the store, not grown.
And my famous bad temper rose up and I screamed back at him.
"All this place is for me is a place to sleep. I HATE THIS FAMILY!"
I regreted the words as soon as I said them, but I ran to my room, slamming the door behind me, and forcing myself to sleep. Things would be awkward, and I stopped caring what they thought. I just focused on the days until I hit adulthood. I would then leave this place forever.