On melancholy hill

Round 11: Autumn 2016


Kurt Robinson is 60, Jack is 33, Paige is 32, Frieda is 8 and Todd is 4.

Narrated by Jack Robinson

I would be lost without Paige. She does so much around the farm even though she has her own demanding career in the military. I don't know where she gets all that energy but it feels like she never gets tired. She comes home from work and a moment later she's working in the greenhouse or tending the orchard trees.

I never thought I could be faithful but we've been married for 6 years now and I haven't even kissed another woman during that time. I'm not saying that I don't notice all the beautiful women in this town but honestly most of the times I'm too tired to take on the opportunity.

We need to make some renovations in the house so that Todd gets his own room. Right now he sleeps in our room and even though he has his own bed he usually climbs into ours and falls asleep there. I end up sleeping in his bed.

He's a great kid though. We haven't really talked about having another kid but we still have a few years until we have to make a final choice. I think we're both so busy right now that having a baby wouldn't probably be a very wise decision.

Todd is obviously quite a charming boy and he definitely gets that from me! The school gave a tour for all the 4-year-olds since they'll be starting pre-school next year and he picked up a girl. Actually Iona came over with her mom and she and Todd seemed to get along very well.

I've been working my ass off to get enough crop for the Farmer's Market. It felt so hard to continue after mom's death. She was the heart and soul of our business and at first I thought that maybe I should just quit the whole thing and get a job. Paige and I had a long talk and she said I should give it some time. She was right, it didn't take me long to get back on the track. I would've regretted it for the rest of my life if I threw mom's hard work away.

We actually made some renovations to the Market. We bought some land from the city and were able to expand a bit. The business was going so well that the place started to feel too small.

We were closed for some time so the customers haven't really found us again yet but I'm sure it'll get busier as our faithful clients start coming back.

Dad has been helping by baking some delicious pies from our own fruits. Grace visited the shop one day and asked if everything was ok with dad. He had seemed so quiet when they talked on the phone.

"I think he hasn't really gotten over mom's death yet even though it's been years" I said. "He should try to get on with his life, maybe start dating again."

I wanted to do something nice for Paige so I asked her on a date with me. I started our evening by handing her a beautiful rose. She seemed really shocked! Has it really been that long since the last time I've done something romantic?!

I told her to put on something nice and we drove to Exmoor to have dinner at Joie Délicieuse. Dad was more than happy to babysit, in fact it felt like we couldn't have gotten out of the house quick enough. It felt like we were in our 20s again, making out all around and just laughing and having fun.

It was nice to get out of the house and have some time for just the two of us.

I don't think I've seen Paige look so beautiful in years. Or maybe I just haven't looked long enough to notice. Whatever the reason, I realized that no matter what happens, I never want to lose her.

Ok, so maybe it wasn't the most mature thing to have sex in the car in front of the restaurant but we just couldn't stop ourselves. I haven't felt like this for ages.

Dad had already put the kids to bed when we got home so we had the downstairs all to ourselves. It was nice just to cuddle on the sofa and talk about everything. We definitely have to do this more often.


Notes:

• Title from "On melancholy hill" by Gorillaz
• I had to get rid of the old Farmer's Market because I've had problems with the cash register from day one and it finally started bugging me enough to build a new lot. I'm pretending that Jack just extended the old one.
• I want Jack and Paige to have another child but unfortunately they don't feel the same way. They never even try!
• I was hoping to get Round 11 done during the weekend but I didn't get to play as much as I wanted. I only have one more family and the elementary school left to play before wrapping up this round so hopefully it'll be done this week.