#nancy payne

[whibleysims]

While some families were enjoying the peace that comes with warm summer nights...

...others were not so lucky.

Cynthia Payne went into labour painfully quickly, but this time she had her daughter Joanne to phone emergency services to come pick them up.

Hannah Payne was born soon after their admittance to Whibley's General Hospital. Cynthia looked down at her latest offspring and found herself cursing the small creature for being bright eyed and healthy. Her vow to Jo was already spiraling out of control.

She told the baby and herself, "Did you ever pick the wrong family to get born into, kid."

Little did Cynthia know, her own mother Nancy Payne had whispered a similar sentiment many years ago.

Meanwhile, Jo sat alone in the desolate hospital cafeteria quite frightened. Listening to her mother's labour screams left a terrifying impression on the young girl.

[whibleysims]

"Oh, Nancy--"

"Not like this. Come on."

"Radio an ambulance. Now!"

[whibleysims]

Lila heard the familiar sound of Will's truck pull into the driveway, the short slam of the truck door close, and his heavy footsteps approach the side door. When the door opened, she called out: "Will?"

"Yeah, it's me."

Then Lila scurried to the kitchen to greet him. "How was work?" she asked, bracing for the worst. This Nancy Payne investigation was getting out of hand, Will was working all hours piecing her final days together.

"It's over," he answered plainly, carefully hanging his keys up.

"Over?"

"We found her."

"Oh, thank goodness! Is everything alright?"

Will released a heavy sigh, pulled out a chair, then answered, "No, she's dead. Have a seat, Lil."

His wife obeyed, sitting politely in front of Will, waiting patiently for him to begin. After a long minute, he spoke:

"You know I'm not supposed to tell you case details, and normally I would never, but this--" He shook his head. "I think I need to talk to somebody about what happened."

"I'm listening, Will. I'll always listen, you know that," she offered a sweet smile.

"Alright," he sighed, "here goes nothing."

[whibleysims]

You idiot. What did you think was gonna happen?

The two of you skip off into the sunset? Happily ever after? Please. This is Frankie W. we're talking about.

Not exactly a good guy.

But he was good to me. I always sorta figured--

No you didn't, don't give me that. You've known all along. You're on your own, kid.

Yeah. On my own.

There's no one for us now since he threw you out.

Yeah.

Nowhere to go, nowhere to call home. This is what you wanted, after all, right?

Yeah.

I think we both know what to do now.

[whibleysims]

"But I told her 'no.'"

[whibleysims]

“I hear it’s supposed to rain overnight and wash away all this leftover snow,” said Nancy.

(No response.)

“It means we’re in for some warmer weather. That’s good, right?”

(No response.)

“Jeez, what’s with you two?”

“You’re right. Warmer weather is good, Mom,” said Cynthia.

Just then, the phone began to ring.

“I’ll get it,” answered Cliff.

“Hello?”

“So, hey, this cold weather can’t last forever, right, kiddo?” Nancy said to Cynthia, but Cynthia ignored her mother to watch her father closely as he answered the phone. She feared it was Mrs. Parker calling to follow up on her threatening letter.

“You want to speak with Nancy? Uh, sure. Nance, it’s for you.”

Oh no! thought Cynthia. It’s definitely Mrs. Parker and it’s definitely really serious if she wants to speak with Mom!

“Frank?” she hissed. “Are you crazy? Calling me here?!”

...

“I can’t talk right now. I’ll call you later.”

“Who was that?”

“Back off, Cliff.”

“Who. Was. That.”

“Just leave it alone, Cliff.”

Neither of her parents noticed that their fighting sent Cynthia flying up the stairs to cry alone in her drafty bedroom.

[whibleysims]

“It’s freezing in here!” Nancy Payne shouted.

“Yeah, don’t think the gas bill went though yet.” Her husband didn’t seemed concerned at all.

“Dammit, Cliff! I told you to pay it last week. We can’t live like this!”

“Then you take care of it,” he shrugged.

“Screw you.”

“Mornin’ Daddy.”

“Mornin’ princess.”

“Where’s Mommy?”

“In her room. She’s, uh, still sleeping.” It wasn’t a full lie, Nancy was back in bed to huddle up in blankets, smoke and curse the gas company.

“Oh, okay. Well, I think it’s almost time for school, so--?”

*school bus horn beeps*

“Oh! Shit! Okay, let’s find your jacket.”

“The bus is here!” Cynthia cried in a panic.

“Yeah, kid, I know. Hurry up, get going.”

“But you didn’t make me breakfast. I’m hungry.”

“Ah, crap. Just, uh, try to last until lunch time I guess. I’ll walk over with something extra special, okay?”

“But--”

“Cynnie Bear, hurry up, please? You can’t miss another day of school.”

[whibleysims]

“Turns out Frankie W. isn’t all talk, if you catch my drift,” Nancy Payne told her.

“Oh, honey. Men like Frank Wesemann are a dime a dozen. All they do is talk,” Mavis replied.

“We did very little talking a couple nights ago, actually.”

“Nancy!”

“Mmhmm.”

“Oh you did not! Really? Did you two really--?”

“We did. But you didn’t hear it from me. Cliff would blow a gasket.”

“Nancy, Nancy, Nancy. You better watch yourself, honey.”