#9100bs

SayJ:  ...They make fun of me cause my Mom made me cut my hair off.  They call me names.

Everly:  You shouldn’t listen to them, SayJ. Cause I don’t see you playing with everyone at school like you used to.  You used to run around making everyone laugh.

SayJ:  Yeah, I don’t feel like myself anymore.

Everly:  I used to get called names, too..Snaggle tooth granny..I didn’t like it, but I didn’t let it stop me, cause my Daddy said my tooth would grow back..and look! *grins wide*  it did!  Your hair will grow back too!

SayJ smiles at his friend..his Mom told him his hair would grow back, but he didn’t believe her. 

Everly: Ahh you’re smiling!  

That smile turned into giggles.

And so they took a selfie together to always remember this moment.

SayJ:  It’s getting dark, Eve..I gotta get home.  Thanks for the talk.  I’ll see ya at school!

The taxi arrives, and we finally leave the Sage Estates neighborhood, til next time!

The driver asks me where to....and I lean back against the leather seat and decide..”Hmm, I’ve visited and introduced 6 households that I love dearly.  So, that’s where I’ll keep it for now.  I’m ready to go back and check in on my little “puddin-pop”!

As the Cunninghams sit down for dinner, Sabien notices Scott refused his high chair again...and he also notices something off about his wife.

Sabien, Sr.:  How’s everyone doing?  Hon, how was your day?

Tomika eats to try to put something on her stomach...

Tomika: *with a mouthful of franks and beans* ..Eh..it’s okay.

Sabien, Sr.:  You look tired, how about I make sure the butler, Sef, and I get everything tidied up tonight and you get some rest.

Tomika looks up, not looking quite right...and she thanks him.

Sabien, Sr.: Mom was promoted to Corporal the other day, guys.  That’s pretty great, huh?

Marchon: Congrats Mom!

SayJ: Do you get a gun?

Marchon: Of course she has a gun, dummy.

SayJ fed up with being called names this week...beats his fork against the table: Don’t call me DUMMY!

Sabien, Sr.: Okay boys, settle down.  It’s almost bedtime.

Rashid:  I’ve got this little one here..*he picks up Scott and carries him towards his room*

Rashid recently sold his Dj’ing equipment to buy a top of the line computer after finding a better job.  It’s hard to defend partying every night to two over-achieving parents that constantly ride his back.  When he hears his door open behind him, he hopes it’s one of his brothers.

Rashid says loudly...Does anyone believe in knocking around here?

Sabien:  Son, I swear...every time I come in here you’re on the computer playing video games. 

Rashid breathes hard. Frustrated his parents keep disrespecting him.  He’s always on the defense: It’s my job, Dad...you’re gonna make me lose this round. I’ll talk to you later.

Sabien:  Boy, don’t dismiss me like I’m one of your lazy friends..I’m talking to you.  Your Mom and I are trying to teach you guys a hard work ethic, the value of a dollar..and I’m concerned you’re trying to do things the easy way.  ..Son, if you don’t look at me when I’m talking to you.......

Rashid looks up at his father and gets some things off his chest.

I’m letting you know that I know what I’m doing.  It is possible to have a dream and make that dream become a success for you.  You’ve always said to dream big, did you not?  Did you or didn’t you, Dad?

Sabien reluctantly nods in agreement...still listening.  

.....Well, thats what I’m doing!  It starts right here! *points towards his computer*  Have you ever seen me more dedicated to something?

Sabien:  ...Maybe to a party, but...not really.

Rashid closes his eyes and take a deep breath to keep from cursing...and continues...Yall don’t ask me what I’m doing. You just assume.  

I’m in Quality Assurance right now, but I’m working my way up. ‘Cause I’m not just learning gaming, I’m learning how to program computers, how to code.  I can become the best gamer out here in Blythe Harbor..there’s big money in those competitions. It’s like a competitive sport.  Or, I can be like the Simblr or Smoogle guys..and you know those companies are huge.  It’s whatever I want, not you and Mom...it’s my life.  I guess you won’t be convinced until I’m raking in big money, and it shouldn’t be that way.

Look, I love you and I appreciate everything you and Mom are doing for me. I get to stay here and not worry about anything.  But, I also contribute to the bills and groceries each week. And I try my best to help out with my brothers. I’m not a slacker, so I just wish you guys would stop treating me like one.  

Sabien:  Alright, alright..you’ve made your point.  I’ll let you get back to it. You know it’s all out of love, son.  

Hey..why don’t you take that hot scarf off, it’s not freezing in here.

Sabien leans down and kisses the top of Rashid’s head, then rattles it with the palm of his hand.

Rashid laughs and gets playful: Ayee, don’t mess with the ‘do, man! ...I’ll put my sweater on..why don’t you turn up the heat?  Better yet...why don’t you just getouttaheaaah!

He feels like he’s finally won the battle.

Eden:  Are you the same Marchon that’s been my tutor?

Marchon:  Why you say that?

Eden:  I’ve never seen you like that.  It was a little mean, ‘Chon.

Marchon:  Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures..and you can’t tell me that you were into that dude. He’s not your type.

Eden:  Well, okay you got me on that.  I can’t lie..it was hard to hold a lengthy conversation with him.  So...I’m your girl, huh..is that the way it is?  *smiles*

Marchon:  I want you to be...*smiles back*

Eden gets up and walks Marchon into the hallway, as if she had a secret to tell him.  She didn’t want her brother to hear or her niece Everly, with her big mouth...And Marchon thought he was gonna get a kiss.

Eden:  If you keep this up, I just might be your girl.  I didn’t know you were interested in me until tonight.  Maybe we can go out some time, instead of always studying together...?

Marchon:  I would like that alot, Eden.  May I have a kiss before I go?

It’s all in a day’s work!  

Tomika Cunningham has been grinding on her job.  Cleaning up the streets of Blythe Harbor and surrounding counties.  And most days, she gets no recognition.  She does her job, goes home and plays super mom to her four boys, and second-fiddle to her popular politician husband, Sabien.

She’s stressed out because she wants to make a difference.  So one day, close to quitting time, she stopped into a local bar while out on patrol, and made a very risky decision.

Tomika got wasted.

She went back to the station and was called in to talk to the Chief...everyone was whispering...Tomika told her she had her eye on some people in the bar, and to blend in..she had a drink.  

Go figure, her boss thought this is just the type of police work that Blythe Harbor PD needs..and gave her a promotion to Corporal! 

Shortly after both schools completed their first couple days, Chairman Sabien Cunningham, scheduled a meeting with the School District Association (SDA), to see how things have gone, so far.  He hopes to iron out as many wrinkles as possible, but stresses to the eager staff that nothing is perfect. They will have to stay positive and work within their boundaries and try to keep the kids inspired and focused.  

This group is made up of experienced community members from Blythe Harbor and Oasis Springs.  They will lend their expertise to the new educational system. 

Vivienne Everett, will mentor in Drawing/Writing. She is joined by Ryan & Carmen Wynn, who will mentor in Chess and Music, at Rosebud Primary. 

Cameron & Stacy Masters, will mentor in Chess and Fitness/Wellness, at Oasis Springs High.  Emerita Valdes will join them there, as a mentor in Painting/Guitar.  Her certifications have not arrived yet, therefore she could not attend this first meeting.  (aka the group needs another open spot.)

1st pic, Stacy Masters whispers to her husband, Cameron:  Hmm..Must be nice having a butler.

With the start of Fall, begins the official school semester!

Sabien Cunningham, Sr. was so moved by Eden Clinton’s concern about the closing of the Twin Beech schools in Newcrest, that he made several phone calls to many influential leaders and donators and managed to broker a deal with the Township of Oasis Springs to pay for and build two schools:

Oasis Springs High School, in Oasis Springs, and Rosebud Primary School in Newcrest.  

This deal shows how significant education is to the citizens of Blythe Harbor and surrounding townships.  

OHS opened it’s doors for the first day of class on September 2, 100.  And, Marchon was very happy to meet some like-minded students who enjoy the same things he does, although, he missed seeing Eden in the bunch.  

This is the Tech Group - 1 class, with Marchon, Caleb, Adrienne, Yuki, and Miracle.  They study chess, charisma, writing, programming, and fitness, along with their mandatory homework assignments.  They will probably take field trips to the Oasis Science Museum and enter video gaming challenges for fun.