#bear phase

One evening, Heather came home to find a bear sitting on the couch. She quickly glanced at Dirk, who was working in his office and gave here a confused look, shrugging and holding his hands in the air.

Heather chuckled and sat down next to her bear child.

Heather: “So, who’s being a bear?”

Bear (sighing): “Mom, it’s me, Jade... But I’m a Bear! Don’t you laugh about it, like Dad! It’s not funny, I’m serious.”

Heather (nodding): “I hope you’re serious, Jade. I hope you’re very serious. Being a Bear isn’t to be taken lightly. Bears are great animals, one shouldn’t think being a is a funny thing, it’s really not easy. And you’ll face many challenges as a Bear too, so brace yourself. You’d better get some sleep now, Lil’ Bear, you have to be well rested to be a good Bear.”

Jade (not expecting her mother’s serious reaction): “Yeah... Really? Eh, ok... Goodnight!”

With a smile, Heather watched her bear daughter walk to her room and then she wondered how the heck she had found a yellow bear costume. The next morning, Bear Jade appeared at the breakfast table and immediately faced her first challenge: eating an omelet is not easy for a Bear... 

But her family did not laugh while she tried to eat her breakfast Bear style. Everyone chatted about their plans for the day. Jade and Damian had a day off school (to Heather’s relief, she wouldn’t have wanted to let Jade go to school dressed as a bear) and Dirk was going to work from home. Summer was approaching and it would be a sunny and warm day. The next challenge for Bear Jade...

That evening, Heather came home, not in her usual concert gown, but as a big Red Bear. 

Jade and Damian: “MOM???”

Heather (sitting down next to them): “It’s time you two know... I’m a Mama Bear... I’m so happy Jade understands what it’s like to be a Bear and one day, you will too, Damian!”

Damian (surprised): ‘I’m a Bear too? I don’t know...”

Heather: “Of course, little cub! But it’s a big responsibility and very hard to be a Bear between the Sims in the city... I understand that you want to keep your Beariness inside... And now little one, off to bed, it’s late and you have school tomorrow! Bear or not!”

Jade (when Damian was gone to his room): “Mom? It’s really tough, being a Bear, just like you said...”

Heather (sweating like a horse in her bear costume): “And really sweaty!”

Jade: “Yeah, that too.”

Heather (putting her beary arms around her beary daughter): “You know, being a Bear, that’s something inside you. Being brave, protective of your family, loving and sweet. You can be a Bear without showing it all the time. It’s a lot less sweaty and often more practical too.”

Jade (sighing): “Thanks, Mom.”

Nate: “Morning Cailean. What’s with the get-up, my bud?”

Cailean: “I had an effipany[sic], dad. Life sucks, but being a bear… is so much better than being a person. I don’t have to worry about school, or making friends, or following rules… I can just relax in the woods and eat fish. It’s so good.”

Nate: “Dang Bud, that does sound good. Mind if a join you?”

Mabel stays for dinner, and Cailean is on his best behaviour, cleaning up all the dirty dishes without being asked. The bear suit is still a thing, though…