2.1 Growing up McGinnis

Being the Heir to the McGinnis Legacy, Cam found he enjoyed spending his afternoons off (after homework was finished) at the Newcrest Park & Gardens. Mostly he liked to sit and watch people enjoy what his mother had worked so hard to complete.

He was beginning to understand now that it was something his entire family had sacraficed for. Sometimes, deep in thought, he walked through the small greenhouse that had once been the bedroom he had shared with four other Sims. Back then it had been about the family, it hadn't really seemed like a problem but now with his room in the new Mayor's house it was hard to even imagine living like this.


"Hey."

Cam looked up surprised to find that he wasn't alone. Madeline was standing in the greenhouse looking at him smiling.

"Oh, hey, Madeline."

"What's on your mind, Cam?" she said sliding beside him and looking intently at the same plant he had been staring at. "You were looking so intently at the plants I was kind of wondering if you were trying to will them into blooming."

Cam grinned. "No, just thinking."

"So is this the room that used to be your bedroom?" she asked casually standing almost shoulder to shoulder with him.

Cam smiled. "You remembered."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Of course." she said and Cam thought he really liked her smile.

"Yeah this is it." he turned and pointed towards the planters. "My bed was here in the middle. Collin was right next to my parents bed and Laura was against the back wall."

Madeline turned around looking around the small space. "Whoa, you all were so close together."

"Yep. That's just how it was. It was growing up McGinnis." he said with a laugh and his eyes grew distant as he remembered. "It was a very different time. A happy time though."

"So is this where you come for inspiration? I mean now tthat the legacy is yours and all."

He looked at Madeline then. "How did you--?" a realization hit him. "Laura?"

Madeline shrugged. "We girls share everything. So how are you feeling about it?"

Cam wasn't really sure what to say at first. No one had really asked him that. His mother and father were excited for him. Collin just wanted to give him high fives. And Laura, well, she just lived her life. Though she must have been partially proud if she was sharing the information with her friends.

"You know... I'm not really sure."

"You're not sure how to feel?" Madeline said as the two sat down at the tables in front of the greenhouse.

Cam looked intently at the ground. "I don't think I've really thought of it much to be honest." he looked across at her. "I know I've always wanted to make a difference, like my Mom, but how I feel about it being a reality?"

He thought for a moment. "Excited? Nervous? It's a lot to follow... I mean Mom hasn't even officially announced it yet. She plans to after our Young Adult birthday. So for now, I have time to plan."

"Plan?" Madeline tilted her head, interested. "So that means you have already decided on what your build is going to be?"

"Yes," Cam hesitated for a second. "And there's still a lot to plan...."

Madeline smiled. "You're right....like what your going to write about for the Amerisim History Essay."

Cam smiled. "Already done." he said matter-of-factly.

"No way! I still haven't started I have to admit. What did you write about?" she looked over at him in surprise.

By unspoken agreement, the conversation turned to classwork and classmates. They sat and talked for a long time. Pretty soon, Cam noticed that the sunlight had begun to fade. "Oh man, I better get home."

"Oh, you're right. I need to start working on that essay." she said and the two headed to the edge of the park.

Just as he started to head towards home, he turned back to Madeline. "Which way are you headed?"

Madeline hesitated for a moment and then she pointed. "Same direction as you. Let's walk together for a bit."

"Great." he said and he felt on top of the world. Together they walked across the street in companionable silence. As they approached the McGinnis house Cam became aware of just how quiet the street was and how dark it was beginning to get.

They walked up onto the McGinnis porch together and Cam didn't know how to ask the question he had without appearing too eager. ""...are you sure you'll be okay walking home alone?" so he just asked.

Madeline smiled. "Oh, yea Cam. Don't worry about me. I walk home this late all the time."

"You sure. I can walk you."

"I'm sure." Madeline said adamantly. "Cam, I'm not defenseless. I'll be fine. Really." she said and with that she walked off the porch.

She waved as she walked down the porch. "Wish me luck on that essay!" she yelled over her shoulder.

"Yea. Luck!" he said and as she jogged around the corner of the house.

As soon as he was sure she was out of sight, he rubbed his neck. He hoped he hadn't offended her. Romance was difficult.