Holt - Advancement

Life continued normally for the Holt clan. Though their lives were often busy, they made time to at least eat together. Eumelia said eating together was enough to form deep bonds. Karl enjoyed it. He rarely got to see his uncle during the day, his aunt was constantly cleaning and his mother was often too busy with her boyfriends. It was nice, having dinner together. It was nice.

Owen loved being with his nephew but there was much work to do. What good was he to Karl if he couldn't bring in a decent paycheque? He wanted to get a promotion, so he could give the small boy all the things he had as a child. If he had to sacrifice bonding time, so be it. It was for the greater good.

Eumelia understood his reasoning. But there were was to do his job and still be active in Karl's life. Wanting to get in shape herself, Eumelia worked out in the living room. Through her pants and groans, she carried on a conversation with Karl as he painted in the next room. His art was getting better and better each day, as he developed a love for it from his friend Hayate. Eumelia wanted to nuture his love for it. It would bring him happiness and wealth someday.

But his drive was less than desirable sometimes. Karl had a hard time getting up for school in the mornings. His mother was not a good example, sleeping in well until noon. Eumelia often had to shake them both awake. Both had awful tempers about it too.

Karl only enjoyed school because Hayate was there. Karl hadn't made many friends since moving to New Lanshire, aside from Hayate. The two were best friends and Hayate was always coming over. Eumelia didn't mind his visits. He was a sweet boy. But his father often came with him and she often found her tongue tied...by his own.

Eumelia hadn't made many friends either. But she too had a close friend. Teresita Loyola was a rather kind woman who Eumelia had befriended after seeing her taking a walk. Recently, Teresita had stopped coming by to visit and Eumelia grew concerned. Teresita was a naturally quiet person but she at least called or emailed Eumelia a few times a week. So Eumelia finally called her friend and asked her to come over, to make sure she was okay. She was quite surprised by what she saw.

She was shocked when Teresita told her she was pregnant. "Who is the father?" She asked curiously. Teresita hadn't mentioned any men in her life. The mother-to-be searched for her words, as Eumelia rubbed her belly happily.
"That's where it gets a bit weird..."

Eumelia was shocked, no doubt. She told Lorelle about it but she brushed it off as nonsense. What did she care about a magic baby? She had better things to do, like slowly corrupting the male species. Her sweet words and sizzling touch was enough to turn rowdy frat boys into bumbling dorks.

Sometimes, they even rewarded her art. Quite a few times, her dates left more than a letter or roses. One even left a pinball machine. She wasn't QUITE sure how he got it to her house but she didn't care. SHE HAD A PINBALL MACHINE!

Pinball machines were nice but Owen was beginning to feel the pressure of being surrounded by two women and a child. Sure, he wanted to have kids someday but the house was so suffocating and everything was on his shoulders. How long would he have to stay here?

He wanted to make a life with Marylena. He even went out with his extra cash and bought a beautiful engagement ring. He had planned on engaging to her at a beautiful resturant but Lorelle had so graciously taken all the money and blew it on a new computer. But Marylena still accepted. The marriage was far off, though. Owen told her he had to make sure the girls would be fine without him first.

Eumelia was happy for her brother. He deserved happiness. But Lorelle was less than pleased. "What do you mean I have to get a job!?"
"Owen needs to move out and build a life with Marylena. Obviously, one of us needs to make the money now. Now, we all know I'm more of the domestic one so that leaves you."
"But....but..."
"Do you want us out on the street, Lorelle?"
"...No..."

So Lorelle finally bunkered down and got a job as a golf caddy. She didn't enjoy it. She had to wake up early. Like, really early. Oh, she tried to sleep in. She never bought an alarm clock. But she assumed Eumelia made a deal with Karl, as each morning he'd come into her room and wake her up by playing on her computer.

With his sister getting a job and earning money of her own, Owen felt a bit better about leaving them behind. So he packed up his personal belongings and left the rest to be sold to help them. "I'll call you girls once I'm in my new place, alright?" He told them before getting inside the taxi.

Karl missed his uncle. He was the only male influence he had. But his mom bought him a new toy chest to keep him occupied. Aunt Eumelia had agreed to its purchase but that was before she realized what a mess he'd make by not putting the toys back.

Like she was one to talk. She was making a mess of her own. She could not decide who to love. Karl knew this. He often saw her making out with Hayate's father but on a few occasions, she was doing the same with Mr. Collins. Eumelia's heart was so confused. Derick was the type of man one married. Ryouichi was the type of man one WISHED one could marry.

Lorelle was confused as well. Eumelia had no idea, of course, that she was also seeing Ryouichi but one day, she swore she saw her kissing Derick's father. Talk about gross!