1.10 Nothing like a Vacation

Sun Li looked forward to taking the children to Al Simhara since Graham was a toddler.  After weeks of saving, I was prepared to go too.  Although Sun Li used the trip as a learning experience for the boys, I was more than excited to purchase a T.V and a few other minor conveniences.

The first thing I noticed was that it was hot.  Good thing Sun Li made me pack shorts.  I heard the locals discussing a phenomenon called a "heat wave." I really didn't like being around the locals so I picked up what I needed and left.

I couldn't travel to far because Sun Li and the boys had set up in the market place plaza.  First she wanted the boys to observe the culture of the people around them.  I thought this was a waste of time, hence the reason I'm not their teacher. I headed back to camp to get rid of the things I had.

Graham and Gavin were polar opposites.  Graham was content on sitting and watching the people interact.  The people acted the same here as they did at home.  Interesting.  "Oh cool, Graham look!" Gavin said pointing to a snake charming basket.  Bet you a weeks worth of dishes I can get a snake out!" Graham snorted.  He didn't like bugs or snakes.

Graham watched Gavin take a seat on the rug. He was pretty terrible at first especially the sounds he made.  Even though he'd never hurt an animal, Graham was pretty sure a dying cat sounded better. Over Gavin's hideous clarinet playing abilities, Graham heard a sweet sound.  It was beautiful.  The song reminded him of happiness.  He had to know it.

Distracted by beautiful sounds,  Graham jumped out of his seat to follow it.  The tune led him between buildings and down crowded market streets.  By time he realized he was no longer following the tune, he  couldn't recognize a thing.

Graham wandered a few more feet and cut between two more buildings.  His family had to be here somewhere.  Scary thoughts ran through his head.  Graham did the one thing Graham was good at, "Why did you get us lost?" He scolded himself.  Instead of a second voice answering, Graham answered himself, "Well I didn't get us lost! It's all your fault!" Graham shouted back.
"Look we have to remain calm," Graham responded calmly.

 "CALM?!?" Graham shouted.
 Graham wanted to cry but he was sure it wouldn't get him anywhere.  Plus himself wasn't very helpful.  Graham wandered back in he direction he came.

As he walked he heard the tune again. "No," he said to himself.  That tune is what got him lost in the first place. He continued walking forward, although it wasn't sure it was the right away.  The tune got louder and louder with each step.  I'm walking towards it! He squealed with delight, earning him a few looks from the people he was passing by.  In a small clearing of people right in front of him, Graham saw a boy his age stop whistling.  Graham new better than to talk to strangers in a strange place but he was lost and this boy knew the tune!  "Hi, I'm Graham!"

The boy looked at Graham and smiled, "I'm Amal. You look a little lost."  Graham shook his head confidently.  He wasn't scared anymore.  Just lost. "Want me to help?" Amal asked.  Graham thought about it. His family was probably looking for him. But what he really wanted to know was the tune.  "Sure.  But first can you teach me that song you were whistling?"  His family could wait.

Amal pulled Graham to an empty alley and began to sing the tune.  Amal whistled it twice, "You try."  Graham was a quick learner when it came to music notes.  He whistled the tune back almost perfectly.  "Good start," Amal said,  "let's walk and whistle- I have to be home before dark." The boy set off down the alley towards the market place.

In the market, Sun Li  rushed frantically everywhere looking for Graham.  He was just right there. Sun Li thought.   Gavin stopped playing after seeing the distraught on his mother's face, "Mom, what's up?" 
 Sun Li stopped for a quick breath.  "Graham's missing," she said weakly.  Why couldn't Graham stay put?  She knew it wasn't his fault.  She should have been watching him.  But Gavin was doing such a great job charming the snake she had to see.  Sun Li fell to her knees in defeat.  She'd never leave the island again.  Nothing good happened off the island.

When Graham emerged into the market place the crowd had thinned so it was easy to spot his mother and brother talking in the distance.  He wondered what cool things they did while he was gone.  "Mom!  Gavin!" Graham yelled running towards them. 

His mother quickly snatched him into her arms and held him.  He was pretty sure she was crying.  Mom's are way too emotional.  As Graham pulled away he heard the familiar tune fade into the distance.  Graham responded with the next verse.  He'd see Amal again tomorrow.
 

1.9 Happily Ever After

Gavin became a handsome fellow, and after a night of partying and staying up late, he was ready for bed.  I was selected for the honor of tucking him in his first night as a child.  I couldn't wait to play ball with him and fish - things I used to do with my father.

"Dad," Gavin whispered as I leaned in to kiss him.
"Yes son?"
"We are surrounded by water," Gavin whispered weakly.
"Good observation.  We are on an island."
"I.. don't like... the water," he whispered as he fell asleep.

After making sure the blanket was tight I headed back upstairs.  He apparently hadn't forgot.

I found Sun Li upstairs on the couch.  I missed some technological advancements, like a television. "So about that wedding?" I said throwing my arm around her.  In the past few weeks it was hard to even think about a wedding for me.  For Sun Li it was harder because of her guilt. "Well I haven't forgotten," she replied with a smirk.  This was the best ending to today that I could ask for. There was no one I would rather have on the couch but her. Piercing screams filled the empty house as Graham demanded attention.  "I got it," Sun Li sighed and climbed the stairs to where Graham waited.

Sun Li was a great mother to our children.  After Graham's birthday she pushed herself to teach Graham to talk and walk while educating Gavin in the wonders of the world.  She was a pro.  Watching her made me tired.  While Sun Li took a break from her paintings, I was began picking up more writing jobs. I was making a fairly modest living and hoped that we could soon wed. 

Gavin had taken to mixing chemicals shortly after Sun Li showed him a chemical reaction with mentos and soda.  It was nice to see him taking an interest in science; however, it resulted in a shortage of our cleaning supplies and a large mess in his bedroom. To combat his wasteful and messy ways, Sun Li found an online store that shipped to our island and purchased a chemistry set.  He can't get in trouble, she said. He won't hurt him self, she said. Right.

He even got a cute little chemist suit.

 It was all fun and games till he blew it up.  Then I had to clean a mess out of his room.
Again.

And Sun Li got to comfort the crying baby. But, like a true soldier, he'd be right back at that chemistry set right after I cleaned it up.

Graham enjoyed spending nights playing with dolls.  I told Sun Li I didn't want him playing with little girls dolls, but she insisted she played with plenty of "boy toys" growing up and she turned out "just fine".  Graham had his own way of playing with dolls anyways.  "Munnnsterrrr YUMMMM," Graham yelled.

My birthday snuck up on me.  Wrinkles set in my face. The sparkles consumed me.  I was angry at first.  Time is a terrible thing, and it does terrible things to your body.  This attitude continued until I saw Sun Li  playing with Graham.   She was beautiful.  He was healthy.  Gavin was alive.  I had many things to be thankful for.  My own life for one.  And since time was so terrible, I needed to spend time with my boys.  They were quickly growing.  Now Graham can do more than poop and gurgle and Gavin isn't blowing things up like he used to.  It was things like these that made me realize I'm a proud father!

 I fantasize often about teaching Gavin to garden.  It would be nice to have some help since our garden is getting large.  However, I'll probably have to wait for Graham to show interest since Gavin hates any reminder that he lives on an island surrounded by water.  I wasn't looking forward to the hours of work I was about to put into the garden. Alas, my family needed feeding.  Sun Li skirted up to me in her ceremonial dress.  I hadn't seen that outfit in ages.   "We're getting married," she announced as she pulled me to my feet.

But we couldn't get married here! I protested - to myself.  This wasn't romantic! This wasn't Al Simhara! As if she could read my doubts Sun Li spoke again, "This is as good as any other place, Jace. It's a garden.  It's your hard work. It's the island where I found freedom and the home we raise our boys. It's the island that saved you from certain death at the sea.  This place has more meaning for the two of us than any pyramid in Al Simhara."  She. Was. Good.   I had to think a minute.  She was right- our wedding place should have special meaning to us.  This was the best place ever.

 I should have agreed and waited until the sun *started* to set (because you know it really never fully sets here) but I decided that the present was the best time.  And with a short exchange of vows and a ring slipped on her finger I officially and finally made Sun Li my wife.

Celebrations we're over for the night just yet.  It was the boys' birthdays.  So much for christening the wedding night.  I wasn't too let down, Sun Li was mine for the rest of our days, but the boys only had so many childhood birthdays.  We crowded around the table for birthdays galore. 

1.8 Pitter Patter

Sun Li stayed sick throughout her pregnancy, so we shoved the wedding until after our second child was born.

Gavin was an easy baby.  He slept, ate, and pooped.  Not much more.  However as a toddler, he was difficult to train.  No potty could contain him and forget about learning words. It was like fighting with a parrot that only knew one word, "NO!"  Maybe we could have a silent household? Pretty sure Sun Li wouldn't be happy.

Every once in a while Gavin would spit out something that sounded like trash can or gloves.  I'll take what I can get.

While I worked with the last of our wood on a basement,  Sun Li finished teaching Gavin to walk.  He was much more cooperative with her.  I might have envied her a bit. Gavin always melted into her arms. I wanted a daughter. 

With the lack of knowledge I had about Gavin, We didn't have very many things to entertain him.  However, Sun Li was dead set on giving Gavin the best shot at life.  She quickly went to work with a peg game to sharpen his logic skills.  He immediately took to it.

Gavin also loved to be read to. With a mother that could draw and a father that could write, the only thing stopping him from knowledge was how fast we could put out books for him. 

I had to take her word that this pregnancy was harder.  But I was determined to take care of her every little whim. Even if it meant I was making mac and cheese in my underware at two in the morning.

Construction was finished on the house just in time for baby number two.  I constantly wondered secretly if was normal to have a water illusion on your stairs.  I think we're good.

Sun Li spent nine hours in labor.  It was times like this I wished we lived with civilization. Medical technology could take the pain away, but we didn't have that technology. So Sun Li relaxed in bed until a baby boy graced us with his presence.  With a small talk we decided to name him Graham, after my father.

I picked up a few extra writing assignments to help save for the wedding.  I spent each day writing while Sun Li worked with the boys.  Writing was usually pretty relaxing for me.  We decided early that we were going to homeschool the boys -not that there were too many other options.  Sun Li took this serious and started teaching Gavin as soon as he could talk.  Days were usually quiet so when I heard Sun Li's high pitched screams I immediately jumped from my seat.

Outside I found Sun Li holding her mouth.  I followed her eye sight and a rock sank to the bottom of my stomach. Just out in the ocean laid Gavin curled in a ball. I couldn't tell what happened next because the next thing I knew, I was in water to my knees with Sun Li screaming hysterically behind me.

I pulled Gavin toward my body and swam back to shore. "He's not breathing," I said, handing him off to Sun Li to catch my breath.  Sun Li had calmed herself and rushed the limp boy into the house.  I followed her and watched as she quickly pumped his stomach and listened to his breath.  Soon I heard Gavin gag and let out a high pitched wail. Never have I wanted to hear a wail as much as I did at that moment. I relaxed a bit and Sun Li's soft smile let me know the danger had passed.

Sun Li watched Gavin with hawk like precision and Graham never left her hip.  I was worried for her.  I slipped on my writing.  Right now my family was most important. And with Sun Li feeling guilty and Gavin refusing showers, I had to step up to keep the family balanced.  Within a few days, Gavin had all but forgot about the accident and Sun Li started to relax. 

Ever since Gavin learned to talk, he constantly jabbered on about how the carburetor is connected to the manifold and the manifold is connected to the engine. It sounded a lot like a rhyme I sang as a kid, but I really don't remember those being the words. I really wasn't sure how he learned all that seeing as we had provided him with all his toys.

With the money we had saved for the wedding and our over abundance of produce from the garden, Sun Li was able to bake a birthday cake for Gavin.  It was a small party for just us, but we had plenty to be thankful for as Gavin started on a new path in life.

1.7 A Welcome Return

I returned home to find new furniture on the island, along with a third person. While I was gone Sun Li gave birth to a baby boy, Gavin. Apparently, that's what all the sickness was about.  Glad I am male.

It was time to start on our house.

Even with the limited space, I built us a tiny house with room for more upgrades. I envisioned a small living room and maybe a basement.

Gavin wasn't a fussy baby. Which was good because I had  been gone a while, and I was ready to christen the new house.

Gavin's coo's filled the empty space of our new house.  It felt almost right.  I had a beautiful girlfriend and a charming baby boy.  I knew I wanted the next step but caring for our family was tough.  I had a small garden, and we had just spent all our savings on a house.  I would be a failure if I couldn't support my family.  Then where would we go? Simla Chang? Forget that. Those people are crazy.  I had to make it work. Plus, how could I make Sun Li my wife if I could barely keep food on the table?

 It may just be 'new dad stress' but raising a baby was tough.  I feared how bad it would be if Gavin wasn't so quiet.  I hoped he'd keep it up but he was slowly approaching the terrible two's. 

Things started to look up for us.  I was hoping to throw a party for Gavin.  Sun Li started selling her paintings.  I hated to see many of them go because they were beautiful.  But each little bit helped.  My garden slowly started to produce a surplus.  Although I couldn't sell the extras until our next trip abroad, it was nice to know I had plenty of food to feed my family.

With money coming in, I started to plan how I would propose to Sun Li.  I was thinking about next to a pyramid in Al Simhara. Maybe in a tomb?  We could marry there too.  Gavin could be the ring bearer!
It was finally Gavin's birthday and although we hadn't enough to throw him a party, he aged up well on his own.  Quiet a handsome fellow with his head full of hair. Charming Gavin, charming.

Sun Li had her own little surprise for me, although I probably should have noticed earlier.   She was pregnant with number two! I was over come with emotion.  With Gavin, I was gone for her pregnancy. I felt like I had missed out on everything.  This time around I would be here for her.

In a moment of ecstasy, I dropped to one knee.  So it wasn't Al Simhara and this wasn't a tomb, but this was my home with the woman I wanted to be my wife and my two children. It was the perfect moment.  "I don't want to wait any longer.  Sun Li, will you be my wife?"

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1.6 A quick trip

It was nice to have Sun Li on the island.  I wasn't a crowd guy, but I liked her company.  It became apparent that I needed to build us a house for our collection of stuff.  Turns out Sun Li was quite handy with trash.

Our island had grown to have a bathroom area, a kitchen area, a bed area, and of course, my garden.   We were limited on space so I had to really research my ideas.

Once I had settled on a design, it was time to plan a trip to Champ Les Sims.

I was excited for our trip to Champ Les Sims. It was the perfect opportunity to continue bonding. Plus  Sun Li was getting stir crazy. The trip would be perfect.  However, on the night before we left, Sun Li got sick.  Twice.  It was hard to watch her get sick, knowing I couldn't do anything. After a heated debate, we decided she should stay home till she was healthy, but I had to go any way because we needed the materials.

Champs Les Sims was beautiful.  I wish I could share it with Sun Li. I spent the first day searching for exotic fruits for my garden. Maybe I could one day make wine.

Until I could make wine,  I'd settle for a bottle to share with Sun Li.

The second day, I looked for supplies for the house.  The locals were nice. Nothing  like my last vacation.  They were chatty.  And enjoyed kissing cheeks. Maybe a little uncomfortable for me.

At the end of the night I was lonely. I missed Sun Li. I liked to think she was looking at the same night sky as me.  It made the distance feel smaller.  At least until I remembered the sun never set on our island. 

In the distance the lights started to dim. It was getting late.  Here I was in the city of love without my love.  I had come a long way in the past couple of months.  I'm not sure I could count on one hand the partners I had on the cruise ship alone.  Now I was ready for the next step with Sun Li.  I guess it's funny what a near death experience could do to you. I just had to figure out the next step.  Maybe marriage? Na, I wasn't quite ready for that.

I returned to base to the worst experience ever. A room full of strangers.  My first thought was avoidance, head right once inside and avoid all those people, at least until the screams hit me.

I turned towards the screams to find the living room engulfed in flames and all the inhabitants watching. Dumbasses. 

While one tourist danced with his pants on fire, my survivor mode kicked in, and I pulled a fire extinguisher out of my... well not sure. But I quickly started to put on the fire.

At least until it quit working.  But   it must have been a bubble in the line because upon inspection I got a mouth full of foam.

The fireman finally showed up, but I don't think he liked crowds either because he stood and looked around.  Pretty sure he was trying to blend in with the travelers.  He was quick to lecture us before leaving.

So with one dead, a pissy fireman, and one antisocial hero the base camp was saved. I was done for the night.

The next morning, I wanted a quiet day to myself, so I set out to find some gems.  I could usually find a pretty good price for them in town.  

"Hey you," a child like voice called from  behind me.  I looked around to see no one.  "You!" the voice shouted again.  Goosebumps rose on my arm as I looked around to still see no one. "Down here dufus!" the voice called.  I looked down just before my foot crushed a small bird.

 "Hey little fellow," I said picking up the bird.  I realized I had missed birds. There wasn't much wild life on my island.  "I'm not little," the bird responded. I could only laugh as he paced my shoulder.

I knew I couldn't keep him.  It wouldn't be fair to him, so with a quick goodbye I let him fly off into the midday sun.

Watching him fly away I knew it was time for me to get home too.  Back to Sun Li. I had made up my mind. She'd soon be my wife.

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On another note: I love this picture.