1.16

His parents were true to their word. Gavin was even forced into doing yard work.  "If you want to eat," his father said, " you will harvest your own food."  Gavin cussed under his breath.  He hated being outside.  It reminded him he was on an island.  Surrounded by water.

The grounding was worse for Graham, and lifted shortly after.  Graham brought home the meat the family ate.  Some days, he would fish from sun up to sun down.  He enjoyed the quietness fishing brought.  He always felt satisfied at the end of the day knowing he brought something to the family. 

The chilly air of fall did nothing to help the pain in Jace's bones.  He knew his birthday was coming soon.  He could feel his body aging.  He couldn't tend his small garden like he used to.  His writing became painful after an hour of writing.  Sometimes, his fingers cracked and popped with the stroke of the keys.

His age caught up with him one night in front to the tube.  It was official, he had to take it easy on himself.

Gavin's birthday came, and he was not the happiest about it.  He began the day calling his mother a llama.

Then he left a soapy surprise for her.

Donated 1,000 simoleons for Undermine Social Bunnies United.  Sounded like a legit charity.  

Days like this Graham avoided his brother.  He was difficult when he wasn't moody.  Graham didn't care if it was raining, he was staying as far away from Gavin as possible.  Of course it wouldn't work.

Maybe it's the weather, Graham thought.  Of course it was raining, but the glow hadn't left yet. And it was almost noon!  Graham couldn't understand how the moon affected his 24 hour sun, but these were questions best left for another day.  Right now he was hungry.

Sun Li pulled her hair out.  What am I going to do with the boy?  These teenage mood swings were killing her.  If only they didn't happen every. other. day.  The boy really needed to get off the island. 

She tracked down Jace at the television watching cooking shows.  " Honey, Gavin's in one of his moods again."  Jace watched the boys search for food and sit at the table.  "It's almost over, babe.  Don't worry," Jace said as a chunk of pumpkin pie flew into Graham's face.

Just when Graham thought he only got the tail end of his brother's mood swings,  Gavin cornered him in the kitchen.  "Don't you dare talk about Snuggles.  Snuggles is the only, I repeat the ONLY reason the ocean stays off the island!!"  Graham rolled his eyes, but before he could sneak away from the crazy, Sun Li plopped a cake down on the table.

"Happy Birthday!" Jace said, spinning his son towards the cake.  "NO! No! you can't make me!"  The family sang happy birthday as Gavin went screaming into adulthood.

"It's almost like he's being born again," Sun Li whispered to Jace with a giggle.  Gavin was definitely a screamer from the day he was born.