Sims County

She keeps alternating between sadness and grumpiness. 

And of course making out with her girlfriend.

A knock at the door sent Charlotte to invite her father in.  He had yet to see their new home. 

Vivian gave Penny a kiss.  “I’m gonna grab some water and lie down, okay?” 

Penny held her tight for a moment.  “I’ve got some good books up there if you want a distraction.” 

Vivian shook her head.  “I just want to shut my eyes, I’m beat.” 

Penny sat back down as Kam walked walked around the corner.  “Hi dad!  How was work?”  She slumped back onto an elephant pillow. 

Kam looked around.  “Eh, slow today, felt like it would never end.  This is really nice!  You two got lucky; right next to the stream- you can have fresh sushi for dinner any time!” 

Charlotte: “You should see the view from upstairs.” 

About half an hour later, 

Penny caught him at the top of the stairs saying goodbye as she went to check on Vivian.  “Leaving already?” 

“Sorry sweetheart, I’ve still got a few things to pick up for your mom before I go home.  I’ll be by again soon, your mom wants to do a dinner out together.” 

“That sounds good to me.  Come on, I’ll walk you out.” 

“So you remember when my uncle moved out here a few months ago, and he stayed with us until he found a place?  I guess he and my mom were sneaking around behind my dad’s back the whole time!”  Vivian blew her nose.  “I don’t understand.  Like I know that my parents weren’t happy together, but if she was gonna do something like this, why my uncle?  If it were anyone else, my dad would have had him to talk to about all of this.  But now… he’s saying stuff like ‘you’re no brother of mine’ and ‘our mother’s rolling in her grave’.”  Her shoulders shook with each breath. 

The jingle of keys in the lock made them look up.  Charlotte walked in, kicked the door shut behind her and set a bag of groceries on the counter.  “Ugh!  It’s supposed to be spring, why is it so hot!?”  She opened the fridge but paused mid-motion when she saw them on the sofa.  “Hey guys… Oh no, what’s the matter Viv?” 

Penny stood up.  “Her parents are getting a divorce, her mom’s moving out over the weekend.  I told her she could stay with us until it all blew over.” 

Charlotte put her hand to her chest.  “Oh totally.  I’m so sorry Viv!  You stay as long as you need to okay?  Do you need pajamas?” 

Vivian smiled soggily.  “Penny is going to pick up some of my stuff later.  Thank you though.” 

Penny: “Of course!  Charlotte’s not home yet so we’ll have some privacy for a bit.” 

Vivian: “Is Char going to be okay with me staying over for a while?  I know how excited she was to finally have a place to herself, not that she’d ever really be alone knowing her, but-” 

Penny: “Don’t worry she never meant no guests, and if she did she would have to make an exception for you.  It’s non-negotiable.”  She waved her hand vaguely.  “Did you bring anything with you, or can we just head out now?” 

Vivian: “Oh no let’s get out of here.  I don’t suppose you have any ice cream?” 

Penny: “Ha, no, but we can pick some up on the way.” 

As Atticus left for work the next morning, his sister Penelope came in looking for Vivian. 

Penny: “Viv!  How are you feeling?  What happened exactly?” 

Vivian: “Can we talk about this at your place?  I just want to be somewhere dark and quiet right now… like my bed, but I’m not going anywhere near that place right now.”  She sniffled. 

As Atticus finished filing his paperwork and got ready to clock out he came across Chief Lovelace’s daughter leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. 

Atticus: “Hey Vivian, why the long face?  Are you okay?” 

Vivian: “I was hoping that maybe I could stay with you guys for the night?  I don’t want to be at my house right now.” 

Atticus: “Ummmm, I’m not sure your dad would like me getting in the middle of whatever is going on right now.  I’d love to help, and we do have a spare room, but are you sure you should be-” 

Vivian: “Oh no, I’ve already talked to him about this.  He’s the one who suggested asking you.  He said he’d rather I go to your place than ‘that disreputable club house’.”  She sighed. 

Branden was strangely quiet as he walked past them to leave.  Why wasn’t he offering her any support?  This was his niece after all… 

Atticus: “Sure then, if you’re alright with babies crying in the middle of the night, come over and we’ll figure out something better in the morning.” 

Relief softened her expression instantly.  “Thank you.” 

The next day at work, Atticus bee-lined straight for Chief Lovelace’s office to share the good news, but the tension as he walked in froze him in his tracks. 

Chief Lovelace: “-in my own closet no less!” 

Branden Lovelace: “Well maybe if you had spent more time with her instead of this godawful place, she wouldn’t have needed a-” 

Chief Lovelace looked up.  “Atticus!  What are you doing in here!?” 

Atticus: “Sorry, sorry!  You’re busy, I’ll come back later!”  And immediately made himself busy elsewhere.