8. Just another Love Day?
Friday, Spring 20
For Sims who were involved in a relationship, the third weekend in Spring was the most romantic time of the year. Friday was Love Day, and the following evening, San Myshuno held its Romance Festival. But for a single Sim like Cameron, it was, at best, “just another weekend.”
He woke up to a dreary sky, the kind Brindleton Bay apparently saw lots of this time of year. By mid-morning, it was pouring rain. The decorations Cam had put up made his house look more festive, but they could only do too much to chase away the gloom.
https://i.imgur.com/u6CaY9Q.jpg
When Cam went out to tend his Birds of Paradise, he was soaked to the skin. Fortunately, he wasn’t planning on staying home today. He was on his way to Willow Creek to spend part of the holiday with his family.
Flowers were the traditional Love Day gift, and Cameron loved traditional things. He couldn’t think of anyone who would appreciate flowers from him besides his mother and sister, so he honored the holiday by giving Courtenay and Halle bouquets of roses. The Rosses were an affectionate family, so Cam shared warm, loving hugs with everyone.
https://i.imgur.com/0vR2OoG.jpg
Bro hug
Cameron brought the rain with him from Brindleton Bay, but it didn’t last, and the day turned sunny and warm.
“It’s way too nice for you to be stuck inside, Cam,” Courtenay said. “Get out and enjoy the day.” While she would never tell Cameron to “go meet someone” in so many words, she wondered if a touch of romance in his life might be just the thing her older son needed.
“I think I’ll go down to the park,” he announced.
“I’ll probably see you there later,” Halle said, and Patrick nodded.
Willow Creek Family Park was a lovely area, placed in close proximity to all the district’s neighborhoods. As its name implied, the Family Park offered amusements for everyone. The younger set enjoyed the playground; there were easels and workbenches for the crafters; families with dogs could let them romp on an agility course. There was fishing, chess, and even an observatory. The Rosses had always spent a lot of time there, as did most WC families.
Cameron grabbed a bite to eat from a food stand, sat down at a picnic table, and looked around. He was surprised to see nobody he recognized. I haven’t been gone that long, he mused. By now he was becoming a bit restless and bored. He decided he would walk once around the path that ringed the park and, if that didn’t open up the possibility of anything fun, he’d simply head back home.
Love Day is so overrated…
The first familiar person Cameron saw on his journey was Halle.
“I didn’t need to come all the way down here just to see you,” He shook his head and smiled.
“I told you I’d be here. And I totally get why you want to be seen with me.” Halle gave as good as she got.
The two of them chatted for a bit, and then they heard a familiar voice.
“Oooohhh! THERE’s someone I haven’t seen in for-EVERRRR!”
Cameron knew who it was before he looked up. Hey, Summer,” he greeted her with a smile.
Summer Holiday was another of the kids Cameron and his siblings had played with as children. She was a year behind Cam in school, which made her a year older than Patrick. Some people found Summer’s permanent perkiness annoying, but Cameron had always thought Summer was lots of fun.
With her was another young woman whom Cameron and Halle didn’t recognize right away. There was definitely something familiar about her, but Cameron couldn’t remember her name. I think I’m about to make a fool of myself, he thought.
“Happy Love Day, hun!” Summer cooed, before she wrapped both Cam and Halle up in warm hugs.
“I think both of y’all know Angie Reynolds, don’t you?”
Cameron and Halle looked at each other with identical expressions of amazement. The girl with Summer bore very little resemblance to the skinny, awkward Angie Reynolds they knew. Her hair was the color of Halle’s, no longer lifeless and dull. She looked fit, rather than scrawny. Her clothes didn’t look like someone else’s.
Halle recovered first. “Ummm…of course we do. It’s good to see you again, Angie.”
Angie’s smile further delayed Cameron’s recovery.
“Hey, Angie. My mom told me you were back in town.”
“That’s right. I’m living with my mom and dad while I save up for a place of my own. I’m not home much anyway. Work keeps me really busy.”
The group was then joined by a cute little girl in blonde braids, who bounced over with a bright smile. “Hi, Dr. Reynolds! Hi, Miss Summer!”
Angie beamed at the youngster. “Hi, Zuzu! Happy Love Day!”
Zuzu belonged to George and Mary Bailey, who lived across the street from the Holidays in Pendula Heights. The Baileys had lived in Willow Creek for almost a year now. George, who ran the Willow Creek Savings and Loan, was said to be “as nice as Dan Ross, maybe nicer.”
Summer introduced Zuzu to Halle and Cameron. When Zuzu heard Halle’s name, she smiled impishly.
“I think my brother Pete has a crush on you,” she declared.
Halle blushed three shades of pink. Cameron grinned, just as mischievously as Zuzu had.
I’ll remember this one...
https://i.imgur.com/2Wd25Fs.jpg
Zuzu, Halle, Cameron, Angie, and Summer
Summer’s eyes drifted from Angie to Cameron, and back again. “Halle, sweetie, let’s us go for a stroll. It’s so good to see you, Cam.” She took Halle’s arm and guided her gently up the path.
Zuzu, clearly delighted to see her pediatrician outside her office, was not about to take such a subtle hint. “Do you like Love Day? I do! Mommy and Daddy gave us all presents earlier. Then they went on a date.”
She turned to Angie. “Are you and Mr. Cameron on a date?”
Angie stammered and blushed. “Umm, no, Mr. Cameron and I have been friends for a long time, but we aren’t on a date.” She looked at Cameron and mouthed the words “I’m sorry.”
Cameron simply smiled. He was glad Angie had the composure to answer Zuzu’s question so kindly, while he merely shuffled from one foot to the other like a fool.
Angie’s phone buzzed. “Excuse me,” she said as she took it out. “That’s my dad,” she admitted. “I’m late for our family dinner. I’m sorry, but I have to go now."
She bent her knees to reach Zuzu's level. "Happy Love Day, sweetie. I'll see you soon."
Then she straightened up and looked up at Cameron. “It's been really nice catching up with you, Cameron. I heard you’re living in Brindleton Bay, but I’m sure I’ll see you around here. Seems like we never really leave Willow Creek, doesn’t it?”
She smiled again, much more becomingly than Cameron remembered.
Angie went on her way. Zuzu turned back to Cameron. “Dr. Reynolds is my doctor,” she explained. “I love her. She’s the best.”
Then she gave Cam a sweet, bashful smile. “I think you’re really nice too, Mr. Cameron. I like you already.”
Cameron’s heart melted at the child’s simple, lovely words. “Aww, thanks, Zuzu. I like you already, too.”
Then he thought of something. “I have some fresh strawberries. I can’t eat all of them. Would you like some?”
Zuzu’s face brightened even more. “Yum! I LOVE strawberries!”
“Well, then, think of them as a Love Day gift from me.”
https://i.imgur.com/YLKA4gG.jpg
Maybe Love Day isn’t so bad, after all.
