Chapter 3: Brandon

The founder in this legacy story, Adam Slade, has established himself in Sunset Valley as a reliable artisan and, with his wife River, raised a son, Brandon, to continue the dynasty into the next generation.

In this chapter Brandon Slade learns new skills and starts school where he makes some important friendships.

When Adam arrived in Sunset Valley it was his ability to nurture fine crops from the soil and the physical skills needed to build and maintain his home that allowed him to survive those first months and years.  And he was not going to let Brandon grow up without learning that same respect for the land and physical graft.

One way he found that not only gave his son an awareness of nature but was a great way to spend time together, was early morning visits to the Summer Hill Lake.  It helped form a great father son bond and helped Brandon quickly pick up the basics of Angling.

With Brandon now going to school, River was able to take on a new job. This time she was going to find something that really suited her artistic temperament and fulfilled her desire to help people.

As it happened, there was a new stylists opening in town and having done a little preparatory research at home River was able to show the owner that she had a lot to offer his customers.

He couldn’t refuse and River was hired on the spot.  In addition to working with customers it would mean plenty of work at home keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and incorporating them into her own creations but River knew she had found her perfect job.

Knowing that Brandon would soon need a whole lot more room and to support River in her new career, Adam set about extending their simple home.

To start with he added a new wing that River could use as her home studio so that she could offer her customers private style consultations.  Brandon’s needs were still a little uncertain so for the moment the plans for his new room would be put on hold.

However, one thing Adam was able to do, especially considering the traumas they had suffered  recently; when he was awarded the “Perfect Garden” lifetime prize he spent the reward on fireproofing their house so that it would never be at risk again.

Brandon’s week-days were taken up with school, homework and hanging out with friends and, even though he would be having fun at the week-end, it was useful fun!

His Dad was a natural cook and could create the most divine meals for the family and Brandon had picked up a few tips which he could use … to make money!

Summer Hill was a bit out of the way but his father’s reputation and eventually, the quality of his own cakes and muffins, was enough to draw plenty of custom to his little stall.  And Adam could see how happy his boy was at making this little extra cash on his own.  Yep, Brandon was a born salesman!

It was nearly Brandon’s birthday; unfortunately the actual day was a school day so Adam arranged for all their friends to come round for a big (pre)birthday bash at the week-end.

They got in a party buffet, but Adam also provided a few extra special dishes to showcase his talent in the kitchen and River made sure everything was neat and tidy, and that everything went to schedule.

Dancing, chatting, and an impromptu performance by VJ, everyone had a great time.

As much as Brandon enjoyed the buzz of his (Pre) birthday party what he enjoyed most was just running about playing tag or catch, or just hanging out with his school friends, like best friend Jesse Green.

His parents were sneaky!  They sent Brandon off to school as usual as if it was just another day.  Actually, it was a really good day.  Knowing that it was his birthday, his friends made a fuss of him and teased him about how scary the “Big School” was going to be.  Even the teachers loved him today as well – he came home with his first honour roll award!

And when he got home … there on the kitchen counter was the biggest birthday cake he had ever seen!  Adam and River burst into cheers and (embarrassing) dancing as he blew out the candles.  Even better, seeing how well Brandon had done in school, his father promised he would have the most awesome room in the new extension on the house!

Brandon’s parents could see how hard their son was working at his new school and it would sometimes affect him, he wasn’t quite the same happy-go-lucky lad he had been.  So, even though it was a “school night”, they let him invite a friend over for an evening of chilling and fun.

Just chatting, playing ball or getting down to the latest tunes Brandon and his best pal, Jesse, had a great time – exactly what the doctor would have ordered!

Hours spent toiling over a hot drafting table and remaining calm and professional with even the most difficult clients was really paying off for River.

Her boss was now often sending her to three very demanding jobs each day, but at least she was now able to offer consultations at the client’s own homes.

The good word-of-mouth reputation River was gaining meant her portfolio was rapidly filling with commendations from some of the most stylish and influential people in Sunset Valley.

It was an uneventful evening Brandon had completed his homework, practiced a little on his guitar and had just gone to bed, River was finishing off a new design.  Adam, as he often did these days, had taken to his bed quite early, he was 100 after all, and looking after his precious garden and keeping up with the demand for his paintings wasn't as easy as it once was.

After this night, however, Adam would not be rising out of his bed again.  Noticing the sudden stillness in their room, River rushed in to find that he had stopped breathing, that this slumber was final.  She called Brandon in, knowing that he had to be there, to say farewell to his beloved father here in the home that he had created and loved so much.

Although only just a teenager, Brandon was mature for his age, so River was confident he would be able to cope with losing his father so early in his life.  But, however strong he was, she would be there to provide for him and support him during these very difficult days.

Brandon knew how much his mother loved his father and how empty she would find the house now, especially after the recent extension was added.  He knew that she would throw herself into her work to keep busy and not dwell on Adam’s death, so he vowed to always be there for her and, most importantly, stay true to Adam’s vision of the Slade Legacy.

As part of his contribution to his legacy Brandon set about creating the Slade Memorial Garden.  Only a simple affair now, this garden will serve as a fitting tribute to the Slade family for time immemorial.

From time to time, he, and his mother, would come here to contemplate and remember Adam Slade.  A husband, a father, an inspiration.

Chapter 4: Challenging Brandon