#stcunningham

The Old Brewery Nightclub, Newcrest

Usher invited his good friend and father in law, Ryan, out to his favorite club for some jamming music and drinks.  Both of them celebrate their birthdays at the beginning of October, so they decided to kick it together.  Turns out, future Mayor Sabien and Tomika Cunningham were there to enjoy it with them...the 1st Lady of Windenburg Faith Center, Stacy Masters (in the red dress), is even in the building. lol

The new principal this year is Ayaan Raghavan.  And the way everyone is falling in line and not talking much, and paying attention to the teacher, it looks like he’s running a much tighter ship than the previous administration.  Eden again thinks about Marchon’s father, Sabien.  She is sure that he and his administration had plenty to do with these changes.  She’s liking it so far.

The kids study Creative Arts today with the ‘passionate-about-arts’ teacher, Anaya Ghandhi.

Eden playfully whispers:  Stop cheating, Marchon!

Marchon:  I’m not! I’m just making sure you spell it right!  Everybody knows you can’t spell. 

They giggle.

Marchon didn’t play too well...

Eden played hard and won.

Eden noticed Marchon seems a bit out of shape: 'Chon, you’re huffing and puffing over there.  I was just thinking...you should probably go to T. Pose Medical Center, with you being so sluggish.  My family and I did, and we got some good advice.  You might have some of the same issues we have.

Marchon:  I’ll talk to my parents about it. I know the school Admins wants all of us to get a checkup.

Eden:  Yep...

Marchon hears the rain falling heavier outside:  Alright, I’m outtie. See you at school tomorrow.

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?