Generation Four — Chapter Four: When Loneliness Sets In …

   

    Karly was turning thirty. This was a significant age in any Sims’ life, but mostly for a female. She hoped Marc remembered and that he was planning some kind of celebration for her, but if he was up to something, it was a safely guarded secret. Having the day off, she tried to make herself scarce so she wouldn’t interfere in any plans, nor spoil a surprise. Nothing happened. None of the boys said a word, either, which made her wonder. Jameson was quite a magpie and could be counted on to share with the world any secrets. 

“Marc,” she said. “I was thinking perhaps we could go out tonight? Just the two of us?”

At that moment his cell phone went off. Holding up a finger for her to wait, he read the text message. “Yeah,” he said, furiously texting his answer. “In fact, let’s go to the bar. It’s alien night. You may get a kick out of it.”

“Oh, okay,” she tried to smile. This wasn’t exactly what she had in mind.

“Just let me text my sisters to meet us there and we’ll go.”

Janeille and Megan met them at the bar. Marc shed his disguise and went in ahead of the others. Janeille and Megan immediately began to dance to the music. Karly tried to dance a bit, too, but she really wasn’t a very good dancer. After a time, several others came in. Most of them took seats at the two perpendicular couches in front of the television. Karly stood nearby and began to chat them up. She was an insider, and so very gregarious. Next thing she knew a female alien was flirting with her. Karly wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that, but was flattered nonetheless. What she didn’t expect was for Marc to suddenly be in the rage he was in. Shades of their wedding reception. He was instantly furious. 

Male or female, it didn’t seem to matter to him. He invited the interloper outside. Karly watched through the window as Marc ranted and raved at the alien. Next thing she knew the fight got physical. Once again, Marc got his dignity handed to him. He lost the fight and was a bit dazed. This, however, only spurred his anger. He went after the female again. She kicked his behind yet again. More ranting and raving occurred. Karly grew concerned. What was up with her husband? 

Marc came back into the bar only long enough to order a drink, which he promptly took outside, renewed the ranting and threw the contents of his glass at her — or at least he tried to. Seems the drink congealed inside the glass and had taken on the consistency of gelatin. He finally upended the glass and the red stuff splatted all over the sidewalk. Karly wanted to laugh, but she knew better. Marc was very angry. So angry, he came inside and scared her with a probe. Was he now going to take out his ire on her?  

Karly braced herself. If he so much as dared to hit her … She didn’t like the almost evil look in his dark eyes. “Marc. Marc, now settle down.”

“How long have you been seeing others behind my back?”

“Others?”          

  “Yeah, clearly this isn’t the first time. In fact, you seem to have a pattern. First you flirt with one of our wedding guest and now, right in front of me you enjoy the attention of that — that… alien.”

“Marc, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but in case you’ve forgotten you’re half-alien. I’m surprised at your prejudice. You’re xenophobic. My goodness, you of all people.”

“I’m not prejudice or xenophobic. I hate anyone whose looking and talking to you that way. You’re mine!  You know what? Let’s just go home. Evening is ruined.”  

Erik was in the midst of baking a cake when Karly came into the house. A beautiful taco casserole was sitting on the kitchen table. She took a piece and slowly tried to choke it down. She was very upset, distraught. Erik seemed to sense this, but continued on with his task. Karly, heard the boys in the dining room and took her plate in there. Marc had stomped up the stairs. She imagined he had gone to bed. Sometimes, he would do that. Not talk it out, just hide in bed.

Before long, Erik was calling her into the kitchen. The lights were off, and all she could see was the glow of the candles on a birthday cake. “Happy birthday, Karly. I didn’t forget,” he soothed. 

“Gramps, you’re the best! Thank you. I wish Marc hadn’t forgotten. Maybe that’s what’s behind his awful mood.”

“You two have a fight?”

“Well, Marc fought. Not with me, not directly. Somebody flirted with me. He went off.”

“He does love you, you know.”

“Yes, but he sure has a funny way of showing it, sometimes. Anyway, thank you for the beautiful, yummy chocolate cake. Chocolate always makes me feel better.”   

Karly finished her piece of cake and climbed the stairs and went to bed. As she expected Marc was fast asleep. He hadn’t even bothered to put on his disguise. Staring into his lavender face was a bit strange to her, but eventually she, too, drifted off to sleep. The next day she rose early. The house needed attention, so she got started. Marc finally arose mid-morning. As she feared, his anger still roiled. 
He showered, grabbed a bite to eat and set to work in his garden. Karly certainly hoped this would quell his rage. Seeing the row of gravestones, she went over to them and burst into tears. How could this be happening? They had three beautiful little lavender boys and now her world seemed to be coming apart. Was she truly losing Marc? He was always so busy. He’d been promoted to a full doctor, a general practitioner. He often put in long hours. He was a wonderful doctor, caring, devoted. And Karly was often racing out the door for her shift at the restaurant, just as he was getting home again. Sometimes, she felt as if she didn’t know him anymore.  

Truth be told, she enjoyed the attention the alien paid her. That probably showed on her face, which, in turn set Marc off. She was to blame for his mood, she soon recognized. Everything he did, the long hours at work, his gardening, everything was for his family. Karly wondered if maybe she should try to find more time to spend with him. Like they did in the beginning. She walked over to Marc’s garden, smiled tentatively at him. “Need some help with those weeds?” 

“Sure,” he said. “Why are you so sad?”

“How did you know I was sad?”

Marc stood up, brushed the dirt from his hands and putting his fingers to his temples, read her thoughts. “That’s how. But, I don’t feel like hugging just yet. I’m still a little steamed about last night. I thought we could use a night out. Been so long, you know? Nice when things backfire. I’m sorry. I ruined your birthday.”

“I got what I deserved,” she said. “I love you, Marc.”

“I love you, too. Let’s not let this happen again, okay? I just end up feeling lousy.”

“Me, too,” she said, hugging him tight.