You only live once

Round 26: Summer 2024

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James Novak is 49, Madelyn is 44 and Connor is 11.
(Naomi is 49, Aaron is 21, Ethan is 18 and Sophie is 11)

Narrated by Madelyn Novak

About six months ago, I lost my mother and this summer, Dad passed away. Coupled with my son Ethan leaving for college a few days before, I really didn't cope too well.

My mind was completely unable to focus on anything else. What's worse is we live across the street from the cemetery where they're buried, so every time I'd look out the window, I'd think of my parents.

After a few days, I started trying to get out of the house, thinking it would be good for me.

I still wasn't thinking clearly though and after I ate, I went to the bathroom, came back and forgot I hadn't paid.

That was embarrassing, especially as it happened right in the middle of the lunch time rush. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

I can't count the number of times I've been up at 3am, unable to sleep, and James has got up to keep me company.

I feel so lucky to have him. James has been so wonderful to me.

Connor has really been missing his brothers now that he's the only one left in the house. I think it's worse for him because his friends Charlie and Jack just started high school and he's feeling a little left behind.

He's been hanging out with Sophie Gottlieb a lot instead, who is in his class at school. They're having fun together.

It certainly seems that way anyway, judging by how often I have to beg him to come down so he can do his homework, clean his room, eat dinner, etc.

Connor did really love it when Aaron and Ethan came over though. So did I! Neither of them were planning to visit so early in the year but after Dad died, they made the trip home.

When Aaron came out, I was hoping and praying that James would get used to the idea and all the awkwardness would ease. I'm pleased to say it really has. There was a lot of effort made on both sides but they get along beautifully now.

I think a family dinner was just what I needed after Dad died. I really appreciated having all my boys back home for a while.

Most of the evening was spent talking about Aaron's plans after graduation. He's due to finish this year (summa cum laude, if he keeps up the good work!) and he's talking about going into journalism. I'm so proud of him but I can't help but wonder when I got old enough to have a son who's a year away from a university degree!

James's sister Naomi has been working in Exeter (she opened up a boutique there a couple of years ago), close to where James works, so we've been able to catch up with her more often. We haven't done that regularly since our kids were a lot younger.

Naomi and James are so different that I often forget they're twins. It's only when you see them together that you realise they do have some traits people might associate with twins, like mirroring each other's mannerisms and finishing each other's sentences.

It's kind of amazing to watch, although it does make me a little sad that I was an only child. I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother or a sister. James is lucky to have one of each.

I was a little nervous when I walked into James's office the other night and found him sitting in front of the computer, grinning. He didn't want to do it without consulting me, but he'd found a business he wanted to buy. I had my reservations but he was so excited. How could I say no?

So that's how James came to be selling cars.

He has a manager who runs the place while he's at the office but I think he's happiest when he's running it himself.

The main issue I had with him buying the place was the cars are such big ticket items and I imagine it's not as easy to sell them as it is to sell something like clothing or food. But James is doing so well, so my worries were unfounded. He's never worked any sort of retail job before but he just has a natural affinity for sales!

Notes:

• Title is from You Only Live Once by The Strokes.
• Two ROS for this household! Madelyn drew the "Cheapskate (take someone out on date and skip out on bill)" and James drew "Get gold badge". I decided pretty early on that he'd get a gold sales badge but only just decided what he'd be selling the day before I played.
• Novak Motors is this awesome, awesome lot from MTS. It looks amazing as is but I have made a few changes to it that made it more playable for me. I got rid of the sunken part on the left side of the building because it drives me nuts how lights never work properly over areas like that. I also changed the wallpaper in some areas and got rid of the jukebox. Don't need any smustlers blocking the passage to the finance office, thank you!
• I wasn't sure how the car lot would work out for me because in the past, I had to sell those little remote control cars for a long time to build up ranks before I could sell the real cars. But Novak Motors is at Level 3 and James sold his first car before he got to Level 1. He also earned his gold badge really fast, so I guess he's a natural. ;)
• I had James, Madelyn and Naomi sitting in their restaurant for so long before I realised there was no waitress! So if you were wondering why there was no food in front of them, that's why! Virginia, the old waitress, is a playable NPC now but I don't remember getting her a different job. But I'm playing Tate next, so I'll check that out when I do.
• I made Aaron selectable when I had the boys visit and his wants panel was filled with wants for James, which was very sweet. After he fulfilled those, he rolled up wants to talk to Calvin and Nick. So I guess he decided he was finished with his visit then!