Tuesday, June 28, 2011

To School or Not to School, That is the Question

"Kitten, could we talk?"

"About what, Dad?"

"Well, I just heard about this school you could go to that specializes in the arts. They promise to foster talent in painting, music and other arts."

"A new school?"

"Well, Kitten, not only a new school, but it's on the mainland. You'll have to live there. So you'll be leaving us and your school friends behind."


"Leave? Dad?"

"Kitten, I'm not trying to get rid of you. Cause you know that I love you kid. It's just that this is an excellent school that will help you grow as an artist and I don't want to deprive you of the opportunity."

"Dad, umm. Can I think about it?"

"Sure Kitten. We have a few days before the registration deadline."

A new baby shop opened up in Barnacle Bay. Dad and Shannon bought several new things for Mason. The new stroller was just one of them. Shannon loves taking Mason around the neighborhood in it.

Dad was working on a new sculpture, I was out painting.

I've heard it said that blood is thicker than water. In this family, art is thicker than either. My Aunt and Uncle and my cousins all are artists of various types. Dad has sculpture and his bass.

A school that really fosters artistic talents is very tempting. Leaving home and my friends is less so.

I met with Clayton in one of my favorite parks. It's not the prettiest. It does have the best fishing hole I've ever found.

"Clayton, Dad's talking about sending me to a boarding school."

"Hey, so's my Dad."

"What, you want to go to an Art School?"

"God no. I'm thinking about being an astronaut. Dad is talking about sending me to a Military Academy School."

"But if we go to separate schools, we'll never have a chance to see each other."

"There's chat, phones, email, post."

"Clayton! How can I do this on the phone?" I kissed him softly.

"You want to go into town and catch a movie?" I nodded. We found a taxi and stopped outside the theatre. "Damn, Cat. I was supposed to be at work 15 minutes ago. Catch you."

Ditched in front of the theatre. So much for Clayton helping me decide.

I tried ringing my cousin Elizabeth. As it turned out, she was at work too.

I went back to my fishing hole. It's lovely, tranquil. A great place to think.

Dad is willing to let me decide. Clayton didn't help. Elizabeth didn't help.

There is one more person in town I really should talk to.

Mom was home for a change. I've heard rumours about what she does around town. I try to ignore them though.

"Hey, Mom. Dad's thinking that I should go to a private school. Did you go to private school?"

"Oh yes, I was at a school for gifted athletes. I won quite the pile of medals during my time there."

"Dad is thinking I should go to an arts school."

"God, didn't I waste enough of my life listening to your father babble about art?"

"Mom!"

"It's boring. I don't care about styles, colours, materials, masters or any of that other garbage."

"Mom! I love art."

"Then go talk to your father. I don't care."

"You never have cared, have you? Not about Dad, not about me, not about anyone but you!"

"Catherine! Don't you take that tone with me young lady."

"Why not? It's not like you really give a rat's hindquarters about me. My step-mother is an infinitely better mother than you ever were."

I turned to storm out the door. Then turned back one last time.

"Oh, and aren't you a bit old to keep catting around town? Fewer and fewer guys around town are going to be picking up your bills. Maybe you should try conning one into marriage before it's too late."

Well, I think I've decided what I'm going to tell Dad when I get home.

10 comments:

  1. PiB!!

    Boarding school? Will she go? What a choice to make. Good for Johnny to give her the option and to reinforce how much he loves her.

    And good for Catherine to stand up to her mother.

    I was laughing at the sight of Shannon pushing a baby carriage while dressed in a very fine gown. One must look one's best when out and about in Barnacle Bay!

    Yay for updates!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oooh, this is a tough dilemma for Cat. Even if she doesn't go, Clayton wants to go to another boarding school, so she'll be without him... So, that's tough either way. :(

    I think "good old mom" definitely cemented one thing, though; that obviously, her opinion means diddly squat. She couldn't care less about what Cathering loves. Which is just... harsh. I'm just glad that Cat doesn't seem to care too much about winning her over, anymore--or does she? *chintap*

    Hehehe--I'm with Chrysame, I giggled a little at Shannon's dress choice while pushing the baby carriage. She always does dress very proper! ;)

    Excited to see what happens with Cat... hopefully she knows what will make her happiest~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Chrysame!

    This save was one of the first I checked after installing Generations. And one of Johnny's first wants was to send Cat to art boarding school.

    Alaina really wasn't much of a mom, their relationship is barely on the plus side of things.

    Shannon doesn't do casual well for me, does she? :) Oh, and she wants a baby with Johnny.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey Kaleeko,

    Yes, it is a tough choice. Clayton may or may not be around, and she has to leave her family while in school.

    Alaina is certainly never going to win Mom of the Year. She's not particularly fond of her daughter or what her daughter loves. And Cat has had about as much of that as she can take.

    :) Shannon gets new clothes next time. Something more appropriate for mom with toddler.

    Patience Padawan. This story requires much patience.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shannon wants a baby with Johnny? She must be a very happy and content sim. Mason looks like a good lad, I don't blame her for wanting another. Shannon's Mom wouldn't mind another, either!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The title of the post is so interesting :) and it's a great idea to send her to boarding art school . But, eventually though, she's the one who will decide. I can understand her, those time were very confusing...so many options, so many choices to make... and they all seemed so promising too.

    I love very much when she told Clayton that there are things that cannot be done over the phone. She's so sweet.

    ROFL@Clayton, ditching her in front of the theater.

    It's about time that her mother should concern more about her daughter, and be a grown up.

    Sorry, it's taken me a while to get in here... (I blame it on my shoulder **roll eyes**)

    Great update, PiB. So true to real life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yep, Chrysame, Shannon threw a wish for another baby. She is quite happy and adores Johnny. Plus she might hope a second baby shows *some* sign of her genetics - cause Mason is a Grant.

    We'll see if she can talk Johnny into it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey MJ. The title of the post is a bit of Shakespeare - with a small word change. I was getting tired of looking up Lewis Carroll all the time for the titles.

    Johnny would like her to go, but he's not about to force her. So she's getting a chance to decide.

    Long distance relationships can work but there are some definite problems. Like hugs and kisses.

    When Cat flirted with Clayton, it suddenly turned to a date. Then it became a bad date when he left before they could do anything fun. :( Bad Clayton.

    Alaina is never going to be much of a mother - Cat's nearly reached the point of never trying.

    Take a while to get here? This post is less than a day old, that's not very long at all. Sorry to hear that your shoulder is bad. Mine will be getting there soon again if I don't properly stretch it out more frequently.

    Thanks for dropping by and commenting MJ.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really like visiting this blog because it has a certain air about it, it's kind of tranquil and awesome. :)

    I feel bad for Cat, her boyfriend's going to a separate boarding school and her mother is no help, as expected. Hopefully she'll be happy in the end, whichever decision she makes.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cheezy! I think that's one of the nicest things anyone said about this blog.

    Yeah, Cat isn't having the best time of late. Her dad is very supportive but her mom??? the less said the better.

    Next update sees Cat tell Johnny her decision. Whenever I get to that update that is.

    ReplyDelete