Sims County

Corbin: “So what about you?  Do you have any hobbies?  Painting, music, cherry bombs in the school toilets, what?” 

Violet: “Ew!  Why would I do that!?” 

Corbin: “I have no idea, you just strike me as that kind of kid.” 

Violet: “Well… I like cookies…” 

Corbin: “Eating them or making them?” 

Violet shrugged.  “I don’t know how to make them.” 

Corbin grinned.  “Oh!  Well if you come over again, I’ll make sure I have a few things and we can make some cookies.  How does that sound?” 

Her eyes lit up.  “What is in a cookie?” 

Corbin laughed.  “What do you mean, what’s in a cookie?  Refined flour, sugar, butter, and lots of other stuff that you shouldn’t eat too much of but do anyway!” 

Corbin: “Do you want to go outside?  It gets stuffy in here at the end of the day, and there should be a nice breeze out right now.” 

Violet: “Sure.  Do you have a swing or something in the back?” 

Corbin shook his head.  “No, sorry.  I haven’t really done anything to the yard yet.” 

For a couple of hours, Violet watched tv and tried to ignore him.  After no response to several of his questions, Corbin turned off the show and told her they were going to play chess.  [She’s so excited to play chess, look at those excitedly slumped shoulders!] 

At first Violet amused herself by copying Corbin’s every move, but that didn’t phase him.  He just smiled and slowly exaggerated his movements to make her work for it. 

When she gave up on that, he started voicing the thoughts of each piece on the board as they moved around, making his comments more and more ridiculous until he got a poorly hidden smirk out of her. 

Violet cleared her throat.  “So you like art, huh?” 

Corbin: “Yeah, I love it.  My dad is a painter, and he can make the greatest stuff!  Growing up I’ve always wanted to make beautiful art like he does, but put a brush in my hands and all you’ll get is mush.”  He gave her a crooked smile. 

Violet: “Is that why you don’t go to mom’s meetings?  You don’t have anything to bring with you for Show And Tell?” 

Corbin shrugged.  “Sort of.  I eventually admitted defeat with the paints, and clay… wood… chalk…”  She giggled as he ticked them off on his fingers. 

Corbin: “But!  I found that I have a good eye for scenery.  I use a camera to make my art now.  I just haven’t had any time since I moved back here to make anything I feel is worth sharing.” 

A few days later, Alice called with a favor.  Corbin’s chest fluttered when he saw her number flashing, but it wasn’t a date she wanted.  Her babysitter had to cancel for the day and Alice had no one to watch her daughter while she was at work. 

Alice: “Thank you again, I would have called in sick, but today I have a surgery lined up that can’t be put off.” 

Corbin: “Hey no worries!  My dad was the one who stayed home with us, and as the oldest I had to watch my sister and brother all the time; don’t worry, we’ll have fun.  Kids love me!” 

Violet: Mom, MOM.  What are you doing?  This is a bad idea.  Mom, NO. 

Alice: He’s a nice guy, you’ll be fine for a few hours.  If he tries anything, stun him and go wait for me at the park. 

Violet: UGGHHH…