Many years ago our founder, Adam Slade came to Sunset Valley with a vision. With nothing but a large plot of land to his name he would establish a dynasty, a legacy that would put the Slade family at the heart of the town. His only son, Brandon, now carries that dream and with the help of his wife Qiana, is passing the vision to their children, Cleo and Carl.
In this chapter both Carl and Qiana take a trip into town, but with very different outcomes ...
Everyone loves Sunday.
A day without the pressure of work or school, nor the hustle of Saturday, a day to really unwind and do what makes you feel good.
Like many other Sundays, Carl Slade was up early to spend some time upgrading his computer - actually it was the family computer but, to be honest, he was the only one who knew how to use it!
There was this new graphics design software he wanted to use and that meant upgrading the graphics card and adding more memory. Ain't that always the way with new software!
He'd just installed the new graphics card when one of his mates from school called him. "Hey Carlo, fancy hanging out?"
Carl was a bit of a loner and hadn’t made many friends at school, but Jaron was cool and whenever they had classes together they would often spend more time teasing each other than paying attention to the teacher.
"Sure thing J., what you say we visit Pleasanton?"
And with that the arrangement was made.
Despite occasionally lapses, like when with Jaron, Carl was a bright kid and had been on the school 'Achievement Register' more than once so, as a reward his Dad had stumped up for his first car.
Not the greatest motor in the world, but at least Carl now had some freedom to travel around the three towns, and was learning about the responsibilities (and costs!) of ownership.
Even though it was the week-end, Cleo, had agreed to spend some extra time at the fire station to help with the training of some new recruits.
Her squad leader had recognised her abilities as a fitness tutor and suggested that she might want to set up a simple exercise programme. Cleo was smart enough to realise that when the boss says "you might want to" she actually means "I expect you to". She didn't mind, Cleo enjoyed keeping fit and helping others out and, of course, it wouldn't hurt her promotion chances.
Work at the Landgraab Institute had been hectic for the last few weeks and Brandon had not spent nearly enough time in the family garden. So, with it being a beautiful day, and the kids having taken off, he was going to enjoy getting his hands dirty and lick the garden back into shape.
It had been quite a while since she had retired as a stylist, but Qiana still loved to look and feel good, so today she was going to treat herself.
Putting on her latest, and smartest, outfit put her, immediately, in a good mood and so she set off into town.
Carl and Jaron Messer arrived at 'Pleasanton', their name for the Pleasant Rest cemetery.
Carl was relating the stories his father had him about his trips to Champs Les Sims and the riches often left in the tombs over there. And what with tales of how his grandfather, Adam, had basically financed their house from collecting gems and metals around Sunset Valley Carl was spinning an exciting tale of hidden wealth just waiting to be found.
Knowing that Jaron had something of a daredevil streak Carl suggested that they explore the Mausoleum for treasure.
"C'mon J., Dad said theres always underground chambers in these places, bound to be something valuable in there … maybe even enough to get you a half-decent haircut!"
He liked a good dare but Jaron wasn't convinced they would find anything in their local cemetery, and it was kinda spooky ... with all those dead people and stuff …
But he wasn't going to let Carl think he was scared. Anyway, he reckoned Carl was more likely to run out screaming first, he wasn't as brave as he made out.
They spent about an hour inside the mausoleum before they decided they weren't going to find anything. Neither would admit it, but it was a bit dark, and clammy, and there was those weird creaking noises and basically just a bit too spooky!
Jaron suggested that they head back into town, just chill in the park.
Carl was quite happy to back in proper daylight, and now it was his turn to be challenged by Jaron.
"So, Carlo, y'know how you’re always going on about being a brain, summat of a genius, yeah. Well, how's you try to beat me at a little game of chess?"
"Hah! You're on!" Carl scoffed, "I've been beating my Dad since I was a kid, you don't stand a chance!"
What Carl didn't know was that Jaron had recently joined a chess challenge club and had discovered he was something of a natural at the game.
Carl was quite surprised when Jaron upped the pressure a couple of moves in and adopted a fairly aggressive Italian game attack. But he was OK with that, it was a classic strategy and easy enough to deal with, provided he kept his eye on the board.
As their game progressed several visitors to the park noticed the quality of their play and stayed to watch the pair battle it out.
As involved as they were in the game itself, both Carl and Jaron were a little uncomfortable with the attention they were getting. Neither was used to being the centre of attention, preferring to stay on the sidelines and just get on with their stuff.
At least with chess, though, the nuances of the game were enough to focus their attention, so they could largely ignore the gathering crowd by concentrating on winning this challenge.
After what became an epic struggle of will and tactics, it was Jaron who eventually claimed victory. The crowd applauded them both as Carl conceded defeat and they smiled nervously as they quickly made their way to the side of the park, out of the public gaze.
"OK J., guess you got me there," Carl admitted, "good game, but don't think it'll happen again – your arse'll be mine next time!" he laughed. "But, this time, I'll stand ya a Bistro burger."
Qiana knew that clothes could only go so far in making you feel good, and today she wanted to feel her very best so made her way to the Sharma Sun Spa for some top quality body nourishment.
A few hours, a deep tissue massage and seaweed facial later, she emerged feeling totally invigorated and reenergised. Now, what to do with the rest of the day ...
A short couple of blocks away, Qiana was relaxing in the calm of Central Park. Sunset Valley was normally quite a busy town, but this was a warm Sunday afternoon and many people had taken the opportunity to enjoy the beach while the weather was good so the town centre was nicely subdued. Even the families having picnics weren't too noisy, it was if a sense of calm and tranquillity had pervaded the park and surrounding roads.
As she watched the people enjoying the park, Qiana's thoughts turned to her own family and, in particular, her brother Federico. They had grown apart over the last few years and she couldn't put her finger on why, they had just got out of the habit of calling each other every week, and then the weeks turned to months. They had both become so wrapped up in their own lives they never seemed to find the time to get in touch.
"Well," she thought to herself, "that has got to change. I have plenty of free time and I just convince myself that I'm busy doing important things when actually, I'm not."
With that, she had dialled her brother's number and there he was on the other end of the line. "Hi Federico, it's been too long, how are you?"
And so, brother and sister made a start on catching up on all the time they had missed.
Although, that is not to say that Qiana was interested in everything her brother had to say. Notably whenever the conversation turned to his wife, Qiana McCauley, she was a particularly tiresome woman. Qiana was, of course, happy that Federico had found a soulmate, someone who made him happy, but the two women never saw eye-to-eye on anything and only passed the time of day so as not to upset Federico.
Eventually, the conversation came to a conclusion and they both promised to make more of an effort to stay in touch. Qiana always enjoyed talking with her brother and never really understood why she had been denying herself that pleasure recently.
Anyway, it would be evening soon and she would have to be getting back home, but before that, one more little treat.
Still feeling the invigorating effects of the massage session, Qiana headed to the Petit Shark pool for some gentle exercise and socialising with the few late afternoon swimmers still at the centre.
She tried to keep herself in shape, even after she wrapped up her styling business, where looking good was a prerequisite. A few lengths of the local pool every week had helped her stay remarkably supple for her age, unlike many of her peers Qiana had never needed to use a stick or other assistance to get around.
As the sun started to sink over the hills that bounded the valley, marking the time for her to return to her family, Qiana emerged from the water.
Feeling unusually breathless after her exertions, she sat down on the edge of the pool to compose herself. This time, though, her body did not settle.
She let out a sudden, deep, gasp for air but the air did not reach her lungs, instead she fell to her side, closing her eyes, instantly aware that this was it, her time had come.
In the fleeting moments before consciousness finally left her Qiana smiled inwardly, content that hers had been a good life. She had a husband who had loved her and two wonderful children who would grow up to be fine citizens in this town that she had loved.
Chapter 15: A Sympathetic Stranger
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