Advice

Advice

It is still early, the day hardly started. Victoria yawns, pads over to the post box, collecting the Special Events money on her sway. Such hard work, those special events, especially as most of them are done overnight. They can be six hours long, so to do them in the day is hard. She feels tired and wonders if she’ll have to smile a lot today, or whether she can just hide out somewhere and rest.

When she passes the lounge she can see little Esther staggering round already. She looks the spitting image of Eva at that age, in fact, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart at that age! She sighs, sadness  crawling in past her defences. The fact Esther is up and about means that the bassinet is empty, waiting for a baby. Our baby, whispers her heart, our baby should be in there!

The post does nothing to improve her mood. In it is an information card from Sims Mobile Government that she and Chris both have started on their last trait, which means that in just a day or so they’ll be able to choose the last trait, work a bit longer, and the dreaded retirement notice will pop up! She sits down on the richly upholstered chair in the foyer, her legs jellified, heart beating wildly. She wanted a baby, wanted it so badly! Now it looks like it will never happen, she’ll be old and grey and retired, without ever carried a child, without having anyone call her Mummy.

She feels the resentment and anger against Chris growing, feels angrier with herself still. Surely she could have found a way to talk to him, how could she have let it happen? She knows it is because of his rages and tears that she has left it. She hates how he dissolves in tears, blaming the whole world, drowning in self pity. She hates the scenes, so she has avoided any issues that might cause a meltdown. She knows it’s the way of least resistance, and is disappointed in herself. “You know how he shouts though, and what with the others in the house… I can’t let it happen, what would his Mum say or think if I upset her son that way? What kind of a wife drives her husband that mad? They will all think I’m a bad influence on Chris, that I’m no good and incapable of handling him. What else could I do?”

She looks at the notices again, knowing their time will be up quite soon, and as they have no young children or other dependants, they have no reason to delay retirement, which means that they will be made to retire well before anyone else. Well before Richard and Tabitha for example, who have still got very young children, and can therefore delay their retirement without any problems. What to do? She feel stuck, stuck in a position she got herself into, but then, what else could she have done? Have endless shouting matches? Drive Chris over the edge, seeing how fragile his mental health is anyway? Go to the Court, and get a lawyer to draw up papers, but then, would Chris listen to papers any more than he would to a person?

She stares at the dark red wallpaper, thinking back over the years that she has been married to Chris. Victoria remembers the good times, for Chris can be great fun, but the gaps between good times are getting longer it seems. She breathes out, trying to release some of the stress that she can feel growing inside her. Sleeping is getting harder and harder, anger, resentment, frustration and yes, and hate, growing inside her at night, when she lies down next to Chris. A peacefully sleeping Chris, snoring away, unless somebody has upset him… Then he moans and complains, and keeps repeating how misunderstood he is, and how nobody loves him. He will constantly tell her that he has a task to fulfil, and that not a single person in Sims Mobile is supporting him. After a few hours of that, she can’t she can blame people!

When he does doze off after a bit, she has been tempted to put a pillow over his face, but stopped herself, as she knows it will go wrong, apart from any ethical questions. Nothing seems to stop or change Chris! “Lord, I don’t know what to do, I fear I’m starting to hate him, and I’m desperate to have a child. I know the anger towards Chris is mostly anger against my own weakness, Lord, but what else can I do? What should I do now? I have nobody to talk to, the house is full of people, and I have never been so lonely in my life! Please help!”

That morning Victoria learns a very valuable lesson: be careful what you pray for…!

The first thing that happens is that straight after breakfast both sets of grandparents announce quite calmly that they’re moving out! Of course, the move had been planned for ages, but it still comes as a shock. Secretly, Victoria is relieved to see Guinevere and Sebastian go. They were very friendly, and Guinevere has been very helpful, but they also have an unhealthy influence on their Little Chris, as they still call him.

Guinevere in particular is always concerned that Chris has everything he needs. “Make sure you don’t cook his beans to long, he doesn’t like them too dark green.” Once she even said, “I hope you’re not thinking of cutting your hair? Chris really doesn’t like women with short hair.” Victoria had smiled, of course, and only rolled her eyes and pulled a nasty face once she knew she was all by herself in the bathroom…

Now Guinevere is going, and although they might still visit, this is highly unlikely, and Chris will have no way of contacting his mum. Sims Mobile Government don’t approve of children contacting their parents once they have moved into the retirement homes, so unless they bump into her in the market, it’s very unlikely that he will see Guinevere again! Chris is very upset, hugging his Mum, crying on her shoulder, repeating over and over, “What do I do to fulfil my destiny now? Who will help me now? Can’t you just stay? Just don’t accept the birthday cake letter?”

Fortunately, even Guinevere can see how impractical that would be, so, before the day is over, Victoria is living in a much calmer house. It’s incredible how different it feels! Sebastian was very quiet, and kind, Guinevere was friendly, but it feels as if the air in the house has lifted. Victoria even senses a change in Chris. He doesn’t seem such a victim that lunchtime, and actually discusses some things in a very rational manner! Victoria doesn’t want to count her chickens yet, but it looks as if Chris has finally grown up just a tiny bit…long may it last!

The next answer to her prayer comes in the form of two of her friends. Afterwards she chuckles to herself, yes, beware of what you pray for, you might not like the answer…! It started soon after lunch. Friends often pop in for a chat, or a cup of tea, and they all enjoy it. Apart from Chris, of course, who says it cramps his style. After lunch Tabitha spots Victoria McDonnell standing just outside, checking her phone. Tabitha is busy, so she sends Eva to call Victoria in. Eva dutifully goes outside and says to Victoria, “My Mum and Auntie are inside, doing their hobbies. Mummy asks if you would like to come in for a bit?” She shows Victoria to the hobby room, where the yoga mat is, and the hatch to the kitchen. In that way, Victoria McDonnell can visit with Tabitha as well as Victoria, her aunt…

Tabitha’s hobby is cooking, which takes her all round the kitchen, using the red mixer, nuking things in the blue microwave. Then there are the three children, Eva, Theodore and toddler Esther, who keep popping in and out of the kitchen, asking for this, wanting that, needing all sorts of things, mostly attention… That leaves Victoria, who is  confined to her little pink yoga mat. She can pretend to be bending, stretching, leaning, but there is only so much you can do that, and of course, it’s all very slow moving. There is plenty of time to listen to Victoria McDonnell of course, and no excuse or way to avoid her.

Victoria McDonnell is a straight talker, as Victoria knows, and her heart sank when she came into the hobby room. It starts soon after their guest arrived, whilst Vitoria K was trying to do an awkward stretch. Victoria watches her for a bit, looks at the kitchen where Tabitha is sorting out a snack for Theo, and says, “Well, the family bassinet is empty, isn’t it? So when are you and Chris starting a family? I mean, you’ll be getting your last trait soon, won’t you? For as long as I remember you’ve wanted a family, so when is it going to be?”

Victoria K plops down on the yoga mat, her breath leaving in one big whoosh. Really Lord, this is Your idea of getting someone to advise me? She groans, why did I even ask? She looks at Victoria, nope, the girl isn’t going anywhere, she sighs. She sits up, looks over to where Chris sits writing, and shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know,” she says, and suddenly her eyes fill with tears! Victoria McDonnell is there straight away, hugging her, helping Victoria to her feet.

Over a cup of proper English Breakfast tea, Victoria K explains how sad she is, how desperate for a child, and how Chris tends to lose it when she mentions it. Victoria McDonnell listens intently, and agrees that it can look like the easiest option is to go for peace. “Girl, you need to make up your mind though. Now his parents are gone, things might be easier, I mean, you need to do what is right, and you’re his wife, not his doormat, you know!”

Yes, Victoria knows, but even so, she hates confrontations, always believes stuff will solve itself, which it often does, Chris being the exception, it turns out… Victoria McDonnell stays a little longer, hugs Vitoria goodbye, and encourages her to really follow her heart in these matters, to push through, and to trust that everything will work out in the end. “You’re a very strong woman, I know you can do this. Chris does love you, I’m sure, and with his parents gone he will need you a lot more as well. Give it a shot, woman, give it a shot, I’m sure it will be ok! After all, what are a few broken plates, or a hole punched wall if you can get him to see sense?” She laughs, and goes off, beautiful, glamorous, wearing skimpy clothes and still looking stunning…how does she do it, wonders Victoria K, I would just look a tart dressed like that, and she manages to look amazing…!

The next one coming up to the house actually makes Victoria look up to the sky and say, “Really? This is NOT what I had in mind when asking for help…!” It’s Vivien, Vivien Leigh in all her splendour, striding along the pavement, making you look behind her to find her courtiers, or maids, or anyone waiting on her. She is so beautiful and stunning, yet so kind and understanding, with an amazing grasp of life, you just want her to be your friend. Just to feel supported, and seen as a person, and accepted.

She goes out to meet Vivien, and Vivien comes to the point straight away. She tells Victoria that she heard about her wish for a family, and the moods that Chris gets himself into, and that she decided to come and see her. After all, that is what friends are for, aren’t they? This is true, and Victoria feels helpless at this, as she did ask for a friend, but so soon… Not today, though, Victoria groans, not today, I don’t think I can take it if she asks me why I haven’t taken Chris to the cleaners yet… What will she think of me? She would never be that weak and mouse like, and she will despise me, and probably laugh her beautiful laugh, and I will feel a frump and…and… Oh Lord, really?

Vivien doesn’t laugh at all, and she certainly doesn’t look like she despises Victoria either. She smiles, and puts her fine, gloved hand on her shoulder and says, “Victoria, dear, you are a beautiful woman, and you have been a very good wife to Chris. You have been kind to him, shown understanding and acceptance where many women would have run a mile already. Don’t you think it’s time to use up the credit you have built with him, and talk to him? Yes, he might go off the deep end, but that is his choice, his responsibility. You are his wife, not his mother, and he is an adult. You are not responsible for his actions, he is. You need to point that out to him, if necessary. Now, he needs to grow up. All this talk about destiny and Restoring Justice, well, it’s just that: talk. I’m sure you will know how to deal with it all. You see, Greta and I were talking about it the other day with Clara, and she said, ‘She needs to remember what she was created for’ so you see, I’m sure you can do this!”

Vivien glides away majestically, leaving Victoria staring after her, deep in thought. “Yes,” she says to herself, “yes, they are right. I have actually forgotten. I have forgotten that people are created in the image of God, and nobody therefore has a right to look down on me, to treat me like I’m worthless! I know I’m precious, and yes, I need to speak to Chris, we need to solve this!”

Victoria wears a green top when she goes to speak to Chris. Somehow it helps her, as it reminds her of her superhero suit that she used to wear before she got married, before she somehow gave up her identity! They have a very long talk, Chris in tears at first, and angry, but when Victoria stands strong, the amazing thing happens! Chris draws from her strength, and starts to listen to her, and to actually think about his life, his choices, his real destiny as husband, and his need to be a father as well, unless he wants the Mortina Line to end on another Chris Mortina?

Victoria smiles to herself, nuzzling the red downy head, rocking gently, holding the most precious gift she could ever have, a gift she thought she had missed out on for ever. Her son, her precious, special sweet little son, Samuel Vince Mortina. Samuel, because she had asked him from the Lord, Vince because he is named after one of the ancestors who met a tragic end, which is another story in itself. Her dream has come true, her hopes are fulfilled, her heart overflows, “Sleep, my baby, sleep! You are my little treasure, I love you more than I thought possible!”