Chapter 3: Time Passes On
The other day I was driving through town, heading off to work when I saw this. Who knew why the townsfolk had an issue with gold squids, but it seemed the older I got, the less I understood. Perhaps it was just something they could complain about.
Work was something I seemed to do nothing but. I was so close to being a sports legend, something Malcolm had already achieved. It had really been his life dream; mine was trying to fill my hearts void by surrounding myself with family.
And yet I never spent any time with them. Was I more like Mother then I had ever imagined? I only had one day off, and it seemed to be spent in the garden.
My little girl, my angel Esmerelda had grown into a teenager before I even knew it. And like me, she had a temper.
She changed her hairstyle to 'not look like mom'. I think she looked lovely either way, but what did I know? I was just her old man after all.
Obviously not too old to have another baby. Brie and I were both shocked when little Sandra Landgraab came along, we had thought it impossible at our ages. She was a bit neurotic and evil, loving Egyptian music, fruit parfait and the color purple.
Esmerelda took up painting rather quickly. She also kept bugging me about that guitar I promised her, so I did get one after my final promotion to Sports Legend.
I spent a bit too much on it. I think it was the guilt for never really being there.
Though Sandra didn't seem to notice. She was daddy's little girl. How could someone so cute be evil? Not my baby!
On a Sunday, before I had a big game, I did take the girls to the park. It was a way to bond with them a little bit before the twins became teens themselves.
I ran into Winston Landgraab, my nephew. Though he seemed a bit hesitant at first, he later came over and greeted me. I soon found out I was his favorite player on the Llamas, not his dad. When I told Brie that in the evening, she couldn't stop giggling.
Ernest and Billy grew up soon before the girls did. They instantly took to chess. It wasn't too long before Billy decided he wanted to be a Chess Master for his greatest lifetime wish. Ernest just seemed happy to spend time with his brother, even if most of the time they never said a word, so engrossed in the game.
I tried to interest Ernest in sports, but I guess when we played catch I threw a bit too hard.
After this, Ernest showed no interest in playing catch with me again.
I suspect he also warned Billy away from it too. It's a shame, none of my kids had any interest in either sports or gardening.
After her party, Frenchie decided she would take up writing, deciding quickly that she wanted to be a star news anchor when she grew up.
Frida just liked playing on the computers period. She seemed to have no ambition for anything yet, while all the others quickly decided what they wanted out of life.
Before we knew it, the house now had three teenagers and three children. The boys were due to become teens any day now, and Esmerelda was about to become a young adult.
One day Brie and I sat on the couch in shock. All six kids were at school. The girls each had a part time job, and for the first time in years, we were home alone.
"We've done good Mr. Landgraab." Brie said with a satisfied grin on her face.
I studied her, tears springing to my eyes. "Brie, you are the best thing I've ever done in my life. Thank you for sharing it with me."
Brie seemed startled for just a moment, but then she leaned over to give me a quick kiss.
After a few moments of silence, she gave me a soft nudge. "So now that they are about to start becoming adults, who gets to be heir?"
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And that is where you readers come in. An heir poll!! Please visit
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Previous Chapters:
Prologue Part 1/ 2/ 3/ 4 /
Chapter 1 /
Chapter 2