Dec 11, 2024
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Part 2 Prologue #2: Goatzilla vs. The Influencer
In addition to the chickens, Gail and Ellie bought a mini goat. Since I’ve been helping out a lot with the animals, they said I could name her. I went with Goatzilla–"Zilla" for short. She’s a big hit with the kids in the community, and even Taco seems to like her.
I’m taking care of Zilla when I spot two of my neighbors near the greenhouse. I’ve seen them around but we haven’t officially met. Judging by their resemblance to one another, I assume they’re sisters and they appear to be around my age.
The blonde one is dressed for the hot weather in a crop top and skirt, but she doesn’t look ready for outdoor labor. She has a full face of makeup, long nails, and her clothes are clean and freshly ironed. The brunette looks more in place in ripped jeans and boots, both lightly dusted with dirt.
She’s holding a pink glittery cell phone in her hands that I can only assume belongs to her sister.
“Okay, I want it to look casual, like you just happened to catch me looking this way,” the blonde tells her while striking a pose I’m sure I’ve seen on Simsta somewhere.
“I’m pretty sure people will know that it’s staged,” her sister complains.
“Oh my God, just take the picture, Glynnis!”
Glynnis sighs and holds up the phone just as Zilla scurries towards her sister’s skirt, which apparently looks like something good to much on.
“AHH,” the blonde screams. “He’s eating my CLOTHES!”
I shoo Zilla away as the girls sit down on a nearby wooden swing.
“She,” I correct the blonde. “Zilla is a girl. Sorry she ruined your photoshoot. And your skirt.”
“It’s fine,” Glynnis tells me. “I told her she shouldn’t have photoshoots near the animal pen if she doesn’t want to get dirty.”
“I think my skirt’s okay,” the blonde says as she smooths it out. She looks up at me. “I’m Hollis. I think I’ve seen you around. And this is my sister, Glynnis.”
“Nice to meet you both. I’m Johnny. And I guess you’re acquainted with Zilla.”
Hollis laughs. “I’ll say! You live with that hot Tartosan guy, right?”
“Uh yeah, that’s Paul,” I tell her.
“Cool. How long have you two been together?”
I can feel my cheeks getting hot. “Oh, we’re not…together,” I explain. “We’re just roommates.”
“Oh, sorry,” Hollis responds. “I just assumed. Does that mean you're both single then?”
“Hollis, stop,” Glynnis pipes up.
“What? I’m just asking.”
“Yeah, we’re both single,” I tell Hollis. “So, what’s the photoshoot for?”
“Oh, just my Simsta,” she says, waving her hand nonchalantly. “People seem to enjoy the outdoorsy pics. Or at least that’s what the algorithm tells them they like.”
“Ah, yes, the algorithm,” I say, and we nod in solidarity like we’re speaking in a secret code language. Glynnis rolls her eyes.
Taco strolls over and mews loudly at Hollis, excited for the opportunity to receive attention from a new person. Hollis leans down to pet her.
“What a cute baby,” she says. Taco purrs and jumps into her lap.
“That’s my cat, Taco,” I tell her. “She’s very affectionate.” Taco mews louder.
“And talkative, too! Ooh, would you mind if I took a few pics with her? Cats always get lots of engagement.”
“That’s cool with me,” I respond. I look at Taco. “Did you hear that? You’re gonna be famous on Simsta!” Taco lets out another big meow and we all laugh at her comedic timing.
Glynnis takes a few snaps of Hollis with Taco, who I have to say killed her first photoshoot.
“Thanks for letting me borrow your cat,” Hollis says afterward.
“No problem! She’s just happy for the attention. Oh, by the way, my sister and I are having a little get together for our birthday here this weekend. Gail said we can use the seating area by the food truck to set up. Feel free to come by if you’re around.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Hollis says, and Glynnis nods in agreement.
“Cool, see you around!”
“See you!”
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3.18 Forward Momentum
Chantal had invited Johnny to go to the gym with her, which both of them were starting to regret. She’d dragged him to every machine in the building and he had a complaint about all of them.
The treadmill gave him motion sickness. The stationary bike “makes me feel like I’m cycling towards nothing.” Now he was sitting on the workout machine scrolling on his phone.
“If you’re not going to work out, then get off the machine,” Chantal complained.
“Great idea!” Johnny stood up and started walking off.
“Wait!” Chantal shouted. “I thought you were trying to be more active?”
“I am, but the gym is boring. I can’t just stay in one spot. I need movement!”
“You don’t seem to mind being still when you’re looking at your phone.”
“That’s different. Anyway, there are other ways to be active other than the gym, you know.”
“I was just trying to help.”
“I know, and I appreciate it," Johnny said apologetically. "It’s just not for me.”
“That’s fair. Thanks for giving it a try. How are things at home?”
Johnny sighed. Things were better, he supposed. His dads seemed pleased with how well he was performing at his job. He’d been too tired to go out to the club, and the idea didn’t seem particularly appealing these days anyway.
Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. No one was arguing anymore, but were they actually happy?
“It’s ok,” he told her. “I got Taco a laser pointer and she’s obsessed. She tries so hard to catch it. It's so cute."
“You and that cat!” Chantal grinned. “I’m glad you have her. I hope you’re making actual human friends, though.”
“I am,” Johnny assured her. “Everyone at work is really nice.”
“I’m sure they are, but you should hang out with people outside of work hours, too. Even if it’s your coworkers. It’ll be good for you, I think.”
“Probably. I’ll think about it,” he promised. “There are a lot of cute girls there."
Chantal groaned. "Trust me, you don't want to get involved with someone you work with! Are you even ready to date right now?"
Johnny shrugged. "I didn't say anything about dating, I was just making an observation. But if I make some new friends and it ends up leading to something more, I'm cool with that. Anyway, what's up with you? Are you still hanging out with Kayla?”
“Yeah. Not as much since school started back, though.”
“Is school going okay?”
“I guess so. Do you regret dropping out? I mean, you found a pretty good job without it.”
Johnny felt a bit of a pang at the question. Maybe he didn't need university to be successful, but the memory of the people he’d met there and how he quit so abruptly still pained him. “Sometimes. But I wasn’t really in a good frame of mind when I did it.”
“I guess that’s right. I just keep wondering if I really need a degree to achieve my dreams.”
“Sounds like you and Cece are in the same boat. Imagine our dads reactions if all three of their kids drop out of school!”
“Maybe we’ll all get rich and we can pay them back.”
“I think the endorphins are getting to your head.”
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Author's note: The next post will be written in first person from Johnny's perspective! Something I'm trying out.
3.11 All Mixed Up
On the surface, it seemed Johnny’s confrontation with David a few weeks prior had sparked a renewed sense of vigor in him. After his dad gave him the ultimatum to get a job or find somewhere else to live, Johnny had little choice but to start filling out applications.
Some of the prospects seemed promising, and he did feel a bit hopeful that one could lead to something bigger for him. But beneath the hope was an even greater motivator—shame.
The feeling didn’t subside despite Johnny’s recent progress in therapy. Knowing the why behind his behavior was only the first step, and there was still a lot of work to be done.
He was at least willing to put in the effort now and had already made a few small changes for the better, mainly blocking Carina’s number. That at least helped him cut back on partying, but it didn’t really do much to ease his loneliness or heal his abandonment issues--that would take more time.
There was one small (and fluffy) addition to Johnny’s life that made him feel less isolated. One day when he was smoking a cigarette on the porch, a stray cat stretched its front paws up onto Johnny’s leg and began mewing for attention. He was instantly taken with her.
Luckily his parents were on board with having a new member of the family. Johnny named her Taco and wasted no time spoiling her with affection.
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