Come What May: a short(?) Sims story

Chapter 1

Cameron Ross cast his line, and it landed in the water of Willow Creek with a soft plop. It was a cold winter morning--almost too cold for fishing--but Cameron had tired of indoor activities and, as beautiful as his house was, he needed to get outside its walls. An invigorating jog around his Newcrest neighborhood had lifted his spirits, and now, daydreaming about fried fish for dinner, he took a deep breath and watched his float bob on the surface of the water.

A novice like Cam was no match for the elusive fish he was attempting to catch. He had just pulled in his line when he heard a voice not far away. An affable-looking man, blond and rugged-looking, greeted him with a friendly wave.

"I'm Bjorn Bjergsen." Bjorn's voice sounded a bit rugged, too. It fit him well.

"Cameron Ross. It's good to meet you, Bjorn."

The two men chatted for a while. Bjorn liked to paint; that reminded Cameron that he had a half-finished canvas on his easel back home. Cam told Bjorn that he had recently moved into a house in Newcrest. Then Bjorn bid him goodbye with another wave, and went on his way.

Two afternoons later, Cam was once again in the mood to explore something different. Newcrest was a neighborhood of older homes, but one lot contained a modern, well-appointed spa. That's where Cameron made his way that afternoon. He was going to give yoga a try.

As Cameron made his way upstairs to the corner of the spa where yoga instruction took place, he met Bjorn, on his way back down.

"I'd like you to meet my wife." Bjorn smiled and motioned to a slender blonde woman, who seemed elegant even in a fluffy white robe and slippers.

Clara Bjergsen smiled at Cameron, who felt himself blush. Both Bjorn and Clara noticed this, and Clara giggled. That made Cam's cheeks redden further, just as Clara thought it might.

"What do you do for a living?" Clara asked him.

This question always made Cameron hesitate. Truth was, he had no real career. He had a passion, however; he loved to write. Cam dreamed of one day becoming a best-selling author, able to write when and where he pleased, while he enjoyed the many other activities he was starting to enjoy.

"I...I'm a writer."

The Bjergsens smiled. "That's wonderful!" Clara replied. "Perhaps we've heard of some of your works?"

Another long pause, and this time Cameron bowed his head slightly. "I'm not published yet. I'm still working on my first book now," he admitted.

The wheels inside Bjorn's mind were turning. He told me he lives in Newcrest, he thought. Those houses aren't cheap. How does he afford to live there, without any source of income...?

Bjorn's suspicion came to him naturally. Noticing details, asking questions--qualities like these made Bjorn extremely good at what he did. He liked Cameron, though, so he did his best to step out of "work mode." The young man didn't seem shifty; in fact, Cameron came across as being as far from shifty as a man could be. Bjorn's instincts rarely failed him. He decided to trust them again this time.

"I'm sure that won't take you long." Clara sensed Cam's unease. Her warm smile and gentle encouragement made him smile. "Thank you," he replied, the tension easing once again.

"I'm afraid we have to get going," Bjorn said. "Our daughters will be wondering where dinner is."

"I was about to ask if you had children," Cameron added.

"We have two." Cameron could sense Bjorn's pride as he told him about his daughters. Sofia, a teenager, was an aspiring musician. The younger girl, Elsa, was bright and curious.

"You have a wonderful family," Cameron shook Bjorn's hand. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Clara."

The Bjergsens took their leave. Cam continued upstairs, barely making it in time for the beginning of his yoga class. Then, he showered, changed clothes, and headed home, just as evening fell, crisp and cold, over the quiet streets of Newcrest.