When last we left the Hulin's, Argus and Youko had a big blow out and the truth that Vivian and Violet weren't his came out.  Youko to her dismay also revealing the name of the father, Alexander Hulin found out that Argus never had a son named Alexander.  Youko collapsed willing herself to go to her safe place in her mind that she had visited many times before named Storm Shield. 

Vivian had, trying to prove Uncle Brett's insinuations that Argus wasn't her dad, went to city hall to prove him wrong.  She found he was telling the truth, confronted her mother, and in spite of her mother's objections had gone to get more information.  Unfortunately the clerk couldn't find any information.  It appeared that Alexander Hulin didn't exist.  Vivian left devastated, but more determined than ever.  The clerk feeling sorry for Vivian contacted a source who she thought might be able to find out who this lady's dad was. 

After Youko collapsed and was put to bed, nobody knowing what had happened to her, the girls who were out and about were summoned to her bedside.  There they both were holding vigil.  Argus feeling responsible had came in to the room, but being questioned by Violet about what happened, he not wanting to admit the truth left, leaving the estranged sisters alone with their thoughts.

Vivian wanting to make things right between her sister and herself and feeling bad for Violet decided to try again mending fences. 

Vivian:  Violet? 

Violet remained silent.

Vivian clearing her throat: Violet? 

Violet not wanting to be disturbed ignored her sister.

Vivian wanting to reach her sister, but being irritated at her silence approached behind her.

Vivian:  Look Vi, she said calling her the family pet name for her, I know this is hard on you, but it is on me as well.  I need you to talk to me.  Please.

Violet looking out the window:  Vivian, what do you want?  Can't you see I want to be left alone?

Vivian getting irritated:  How selfish can you be? You aren't the only one upset.  I am trying to be your big sister and comfort you, even though I need comforting and reassurance myself. 

Violet:  I never asked you for anything, including your big sister interference in my thoughts and life.  Just leave me alone.  Is that so hard to do?  If you want to help me, please respect my wishes.

Vivian getting angrier by the minute:  Why have you always treated me so distantly?  Haven't I always tried to be a good big sister?  What have I done to make you treat me this way?

Violet looking out the window absently:  Nothing ok?  Nothing at all.  I just want to be free to live my life with none of your holier than thou, I know best sister attitude. 

Vivian hurt:  What does that mean?  I never did anything but try to help you.

Vivian:  For goodness sakes, I am tired of talking to your back.  Turn around.

Violet getting upset now as well: Ok, I am turned around, now will you please go away?

Vivian:  You know, you always had a bad attitude.  I love you, but you treat me like an enemy.  All I am asking for is to be sisters. 

Violet:  Well I didn't choose you for a sister, and I am stuck with you, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, or you.

Vivian:  Look Vi,

Violet growling in anger:  Stop calling me that!  My name is Violet and if you want to talk to me, you better start using it.

Vivian was taken aback.  Where did all this hostility come from?  Why did Vi hate her so?  She sighed.  Maybe she should just let this go.  Their mother was far away from them in her own little world, Uncle Brett was being a jerk, aunt Corrine who never liked mom, was over the moon about this situation and dad (she shook her head remembering he wasn't her dad after all) and Argus and Aunt Lena had been having problems.  Did she need to open another can of worms?  Vivian felt like giving up, but knew that maybe if she could patch things up with her sister, somehow it might bring mom back. 

Vivian curbing in her anger:  Violet, come on why do we need to fight?  Can't we try to mend fences?  Don't you think that is what mom would want?

Violet turned away:  Forget it Vivian ok? 

Vivian:  No I am not letting it go. 

Violet turned back:  I can see you won't leave me alone, so say what you have to say and then leave me be.

Vivian angry:  You act like everything is a game.  It isn't you know.  Mom is gone and who knows if we will ever get her back.  This whole family is one big mess, and the one thing that can be fixed is us, and you won't help me fix it.

Violet lashing out:  Did you ever think that maybe there is nothing to fix?  How about if I told you I don't want to fix something, because to me it ain't broke.

Vivian at a loss turned away trying to find words to say. 

Violet:  Now will you leave me alone?

Vivian:  No, I won't.  You always hated me, and I want to know why.  I can take it.  Come on, or don't you have the guts? Vivian hissed through her teeth.

Violet furious:  You want to know why?  You want to know why?  Like you don't know.

Vivian taken aback at her anger:  No Vi, I don't.

Vivian using that name again set her off.

Violet spewing all the invective she had been holding inside for all those years:  You are a back stabbing, self righteous, life ruining witch and you are right I do hate you.  You undermined me with mom and dad all my life.  You always had to show me up.  It was bad enough that mom and dad never wanted me, but then you had to go prove to them, that their not wanting me was justified.  It was always look at Vivian as an example.  Vivian graduated high school at the top of her class. Poor Violet why couldn't you at least finish school instead of dropping out in the 10th. grade?  We always hoped you would prove us wrong about your growing up to be a disappointment  Why couldn't you be like Vivian.  Vivian always tried hard, and it shows. Vivian excelled at everything she did, what's wrong with you Violet?  You never had to hear those words, and I can never forget them.  I got so sick of them holding you up as a paragon of virtue. You always have been mom and dad's little darling.  I was the black sheep, the disappointment, the girl who did everything wrong.  I busted my butt to prove them wrong, but you were always there making sure that they wouldn't be proud of me or love me like they love you!  You delighted in being the good girl.  You rubbed my nose in it every chance you could! That is ok though, because you know what?  I hate you all!!!

Violet paused for breath and wanting to alleviate her pain struck where she knew it would hurt:  In fact, I don't care if mom ever wakes up.  I hope she don't.  She always made me feel less than worthless.  Oh, she tried to praise me once in a while, but that was to salve her conscience.  I didn't flatter myself that she meant it.  I knew better.  All of a sudden the anger left her and she sagged like a balloon deflating.

Violet with resignation and sadness:  Oh forget it.  It don't matter anymore.  It is too late to ever repair us, and frankly I don't want to try anyhow. 

Vivian frustrated lashed out:  You know you never used your brains.  You are one of the dumbest people I have ever met. 

Violet taken aback:  W-wh-wh at do you mean? 

Vivian riled again: You spent your life rejecting everybody, wanting an excuse to be the victim.  Nothing anybody did for you was good enough.  You just want to be miserable, and right now I don't care if you stay miserable the rest of your life!  Why don't you stop thinking of what poor Violet wants, and start thinking of someone else for a change.  As for mom, how dare you say that!  She was a good mother to both of us, the best!You are mean, nasty and cruel, and right now, I don't care what happens to you!  Why don't you just leave if you hate us so much?  Go on leave.  I don't care anymore.

Violet turned without a word running out of the house.  She didn't know where she was going, but at this point she didn't care.  She just wanted to escape.  Escape the pain and the rejection she had suffered her whole life.  This wasn't the first time she had run away, but she had always come back.  This time she just might never come back, and she was sure nobody would care if she did or not.

The following is a story of the Hulin family, their loves, trials, and tribulations and just above all the story of their lives.

Here are the sims of the Hulin family.

I would like to introduce Argus Hulin a genie, the founder of the successful part of the Hulin clan.  His traits are cat person, lucky, ambitious, handy and family oriented. His father was an unsuccessful businessman who suddenly passed leaving a large debt and the reins of a struggling company in Argus's youthful hands. Argus was determined to turn the business around and worked like a dog to do so. He disliked his genie heritage so much, he wouldn't use the powers to better himself even though he could have done so.  He wanted to sink or swim on his own merits.

Argus was busy working 12 hour days, 7 days a week and didn't have much of a social life.  Fortunately a chance meeting brought him his future wife. Upon their first meeting, he knew that she was to be the love of his life, and thankfully she agreed.  They moved in together and decided to wait on marriage.  Although they were happy, the stress of Argus's working schedule put a strain on things.  Unfortunately after the first year the children started to come along.  First it was twins, and within two years, it was triplets and so they kept coming until they had a house of 16 children.

 Argus within the first year of being with Lena and being stressed started cheating.  He wasn't faithful for the first 4 years of their relationship. After the four years, Argus decided to stop cheating and settle down and did it for three years.  Eventually though Argus lost the fight for the business his father had founded, and it left him feeling like a failure. Due to his feelings of inadequacy Argus for the first time in three years strayed again. This other woman was the first, but wouldn't be the last. Argus had to get odd jobs to support his large family, but the guilt of betraying his wife was sitting hard on his conscience.  Argus somewhat out of guilt, but also desiring a new start, moved the family to Isla Paradiso. There he finally convinced Lena to marry him. He took a job as a firefighter and settled down to being a good father, even if he wasn't being the perfect husband. Argus would continue to stray throughout their relationship.  The kids grew up and moved out easing the strain on their finances, and finally Argus with his firemen salary was able to provide very well for everyone who stayed in the house. Argus's careful investments made him wealthy.  Everything should be perfect, but unfortunately things between Lena and him are very rocky due to the troubles in the family.  Argus had been faithful lately, but..... 

This is Lena Hulin, the love of Argus's life and his wife.  She is half alien/half human.  Her eyes are her one great beauty and have been known to bewitch people.  That, I suspect, is what first attracted Argus.  Her traits are supernatural fan, overemotional, slob, gatherer and irresistible.  She knew when she saw Argus that he was the man she wanted for herself.  Their  10 year marriage with all the children hasn't been without its challenges, but she loved Argus more now than when they first got married.

 She knows that Argus hasn't been faithful to her, but he always came back, so she turned a blind eye.  It wasn't like she hadn't  had her share of dalliances.  She was a man magnet, and most of the time enjoyed the company of men.  Lena didn't know if Argus suspected or not, but he didn't say anything.

Their relationship of 26 years of including 19 years of marriage have had their challenges, especially their last child who had been a bone of contention between Argus and her.  Argus had insisted that she got pregnant on purpose even though he told her that he didn't want anymore.  She loved her last child a lot, but kind of wished that she had not been born. Out of all her children she is the only one who never left home, and was the most troubled.

 Lena because of her daughter's issues and just all around tired of carousing had decided to give up her wandering eye and stay faithful to her husband.  Domestic bliss was never something she adjusted to well, but for now she doesn't have the energy to cheat.  One thing though she can be thankful for was all her children are Argus's.  They were all born during her faithful times.

 Lately things have been rockier than usual, and for the first time in 26 years she didn't know if they would make it.  She sure wasn't going down without a fight.

Meet Corrine Anglin.  Corrine is the wife of Brett Anglin, and the youngest child of the Hulin clan.  Her husband was not approved by her parents as he was older than her by several years, but she believed once they got to know him, they would love him just as much as she did.    In spite of her optimism their dislike of Brett continued. It saddened Corrine that her parents didn't approve of her choice.  Still  as soon as she was of legal age, they tied the knot.  Her parents who had mistakenly spoiled her whenever possible under the guise of protecting her made her self willed and spoiled to her detriment. 

For the first time in her life, her parents decided that they knew what was best and had tried to keep her and Brett apart, and this put a strain on their relationship.  Her marriage to Brett had made for some rough times over the last three years.  Her relationship with Brett was rocky at best, because of his refusal to do anything but sponge off her parents.  She wouldn't admit that he was no good.  He was just misunderstood she claimed. 

Corrine's devotion stemmed from her lack of  self esteem.   Corrine was never was popular in school or out and most boys growing up had stayed away from her.  She tried so hard to get someone to like her, even offering herself, but it never worked.  Maybe she tried too hard, but whatever the reason boys just wouldn't give her the time of day. One day she decided that all the boys couldn't be wrong, so there must be something wrong with her.  She had about given up hope of finding someone to love her when Brett came along.  She couldn't believe that he not only was willing to go out with her, but wanted to marry her.

She didn't understand why her parents wouldn't accept Brett.  Didn't they want her to be happy?  She had to admit though they had been very generous in keeping her and Brett off the street.  It wasn't many parents that would support their daughter and her husband. Corrine wished that Brett would cooperate and get a job.  Didn't he know that it would go a long way in getting her parents to like him?   Corrine wanted to get a job, but her past troubles have made it impossible.

 Corrine had a secret that only she and her parents knew, and she lived in fear that someday her parents would get fed up and tell Brett. How would Brett react that not only did she have a secret, but a secret that could destroy their whole marriage? It wasn't that she wanted to keep the secret, but how do you tell your husband, that insanity runs in your family, even though it was only found in a few obscure long, long, long lost relatives and that in spite of the odds, you were the unlucky one to inherit this trait?  How do you tell him that you were the only one in your immediate family that did so?   How do you explain that from the age of 12 until 15 you were committed to a mental institution with a grim prognosis of recovery?  That was 3 years of a hellish nightmare, which she never thought she would find her way out of.  Fortunately with her parents money and support she climbed out of the abyss back to normalcy.  For this reason Corrine had decided not to have children, but Brett wanted children and continually pressured her.  For now she had been able to successfully put him off, but there would come a day of reckoning, and she shuddered to think how on that day her world as she knows it will be destroyed forever. 

Corrine's traits are athletic, equestrian, insane, slob and genius.

I would now like to introduce you to Brett Anglin, husband of Corrine.  His traits are loser, virtuoso, never nude, handy and excitable.  Brett met Corrine four years ago when he was traveling in Isla Paradiso, due to his recently being kicked out of his parents house.  He was a beach bum looking for a way to pay for his travels.  He lived by scrounging food from anywhere he could find it, and occasionally would get an odd job just long enough to make enough to buy food and shelter for a few days.  He didn't understand his father's attitude.  Dad had money, so letting him live at home and pay a few of his paltry gambling debts wasn't unreasonable.  It wasn't like his father would ever have financial issues no matter how much money Brett spent.  He was just a tight wad, and mother always was a spineless jellyfish who would never cross dad.  How he despised them.  His father never supported his aspiration to be a virtuoso. He didn't think Brett would be able to support himself in his chosen path. This led to a lot of contention between them.  Brett used his father's disapproval as an excuse to not even try to be a virtuoso.  The truth was he just was a bum who wanted to sponge off of others. 

 At first all the travelling had been exciting.  Soon the novelty wore off being exposed to the elements not to mention being perpetually hungry.  He wanted a permanent place to live. One day his luck changed. Out of the blue he saw a mousy woman who wasn't particularly attractive, but he thought he could find a use for her.  He found out later her name was Corrine.  From a distance he could see she appeared somewhat despondent and that she was well to do.  Brett, being a user, could spot a likely target from a mile away.  Flattery could get you every where he found, at least in her case.  She was such an easy target, his conscience pricked him for just a second or two, but this was his meal ticket.  It wasn't but a week and they were engaged.  Her parents didn't like him, and he was ok with that, as long as they didn't stop their marriage.  Corrine had asked her parents if he could live with them until they could be married, and they refused.  Brett saw his well laid plans about to go south.  He thought quickly.  Sighing he told her he understood, that it was too bad, because now he would have to leave. He said he would have to find a job and a place to live so he could support her.   That lit a fire under Corrine.  She told her parents if he couldn't move in with them she would run away and they would never see them again.  Brett saw their faces go ashen, and couldn't help but laugh to himself.  This was just too rich.  He moved in that same day.

Life was good and he never looked back.  Corrine's parents gave her a generous allowance which she turned over to him.  He had money, a free rein to do whatever he wanted including gambling, and women, who seeing he had money threw themselves at him. He had multiple affairs including the live-in mistress of her father.  Now that one was a prize.  What a wildcat she was. If he could live without all the things that money could buy him, she would be worth running off, with except she hated him.  She had refused to sleep with him until he found a way to blackmail her. After that it was easy.  Brett felt that having her hate him made it all the more exciting.  He wasn't worried about Corrine finding out.  All he had to do was threaten to leave and she was putty in his hands.  Oh what a great life this was. 

This lovely young woman is Youko.  Youko is the live-in mistress of Argus.  Her traits are no sense of humor, inappropriate, disciplined, friendly and diva.  Youko met Argus at the tender age of 17.  Youko's home life was not the best.  Her parents constantly drank, and were nasty to her.  They never approved of anything she did.  They were always uttering dire predictions of her future life.  Her parents were convinced she would come to a bad end, because she had a stubborn streak in her.  To Youko it wasn't so much stubbornness as not wanting to let the negativity of her life bring her down.  She was a survivor.

 Youko, for as long as she could remember,had the ability to escape in her mind to the only safe place she had.  She couldn't remember the first time she had slipped away to Storm Shield, but it was a safe haven that she visited many times in her life.  She couldn't have made it without Bling and all her friends there.  It had been a while since she had been granted that release.  Youko sighed.  Just when it seemed all hope was gone, along came her knight in shining armor.

 Argus and her had literally bumped into each other.  After apologies all around Youko felt Argus checking her out. Youko could sense his interest, and decided he could be the answer to all her problems.  She was right.  He got her a place to stay and paid for everything.  Youko didn't feel very good about her role, but what was a girl to do?  Things for a year were good until the day they had a falling out about her wanting to go to college.  Youko refused to give up her dream without a fight and fight they did.  It was a real barn burner. Argus finally told her it was him or college make a choice.  Youko stopped and thought what her response should be.  She was not going to let a man stop her from living her dream.  She opened her mouth to say just that, when to her utter shock what came out instead was that she didn't want to lose him and she found herself  agreeing to give up college.  With horror she came to the realization that she was irrevocably head over heels in love with him. Argus then and there asked her to move in with him. Imagine her surprise finding him already with a wife and 10 children.  He had made it plain after she moved in that Lena was and always would be his wife and love. Youko was devastated to learn that he had been with Lena for 8 years that he was so confident of her feelings for him, he knew that she wouldn't care that he was married and he was right.  How could her parents have known?  How could they have been right? 

 Youko's life changed for the worst at that moment.  Argus after a short while at his wife's nagging started to neglect her shamefully.  Youko was miserable, but she couldn't leave.  No matter how much she begged him, it didn't do any good.  Youko in her misery had a brief fling with another man.  He said his name was Alexander Hulin. Youko asked if he was related to Argus and the man said he was his son.  This made Youko ashamed of herself realizing this was wrong, so she broke it off.  Youko went home and for the first time in a long time, Argus started paying attention to her again.  Maybe it was because he felt he was losing his hold on her.  Whatever the reason Youko was over the moon.  A few weeks later Youko found out she was pregnant.  Who was the father?  Argus was thrilled with the news and things were better than ever for a short time. 

Youko had twins. She knew she had to find out the father and had Alexander tested. To her regret the twins turned out to be his.  Youko contacted Alexander and asked him to not be in the girls life, as that would complicate things.  He agreed, not wanting children in the first place.  Youko wanted to tell Argus the truth, but he seemed so happy with the girls, she couldn't bring herself to do that. She also was afraid he would kick her out, even though by this time Argus had pretty much ended their relationship much to her grief.  Still she wanted to just be near him no matter what.  Besides she had the two girls and she couldn't let their lives be destroyed.  She would do anything for them, anything. As the children got older she never regretted her decision, but only for their sakes. 

A day came when Brett, somehow finding out her secret, confronted her, so he could blackmail her in to being his lover.  Having no choice, she became a secret lover to a man she had hated since Corrine had brought him home, to stop her life from falling apart. Then in spite of his promises to her, Brett hinted to Vivian about  Argus not being her real father. If that wasn't bad enough, Youko decided being so unhappy to try to get Argus back in her arms.  So she once again lowered her pride and went to Argus heart in her hands begging him to love her again like he used to do.  Argus had looked at her pityingly and firmly, but gently told her no.  He said he realized that he had been wrong in bringing her home that day so long ago, but that he allowed her to stay, because of the twins and knowing she had no place to go. Youko could have taken the rejection.  Heaven knows it wasn't the first time he had refused her pleas, but the one thing she couldn't take was the pity he felt for her.  He actually pitied her?  How could this be?  Youko hurt and beyond humiliated without thinking just wanting to hurt him in return finally spilled the secret that she had vowed she would never tell.  She screamed at him that Vivian and Violet weren't his.  Youko stood there breathing heavily, but filled with triumph when she saw the shocked look on his face, and then the hurt flooded in. He demanded to know the name of the father.  She refused, and Argus went ballistic.  Youko had never seen him this angry. Scared and hurt she told him the truth. The name she had said was Alexander Hulin. Seeing a look of disbelief cross Argus's face, she had twisted the knife a bit more.  Alexander Hulin she repeated almost gleefully, your son.  Oh how could she have known that her revenge which was to have been so sweet, would turn to ashes in her mouth and stab her in the heart as well. With total horror consuming her, Argus told her with disbelief in his voice that he had never had a son named Alexander.  What?  No, he was lying.  Youko couldn't quite grasp what he had said. She looked at Argus's face, and could see that he wasn't lying. All of a sudden the words had hit Youko like a ton of bricks.  Noooo she screamed silently in her mind.  She couldn't believe it.  How could for the umpteenth time in her life she have been used and lied to? It was surreal. Argus silently left the room leaving her alone, beyond grief stricken. She needed peace. She needed escape.  She needed Stormshield and Bling.  Mercifully she for the first time in a long time was able to find her way back to  the only place where she could grieve and find peace.  Once there she was determined never to come back.

 This is Vivian Hulin, daughter of Youko, and a man known by the name Alexander Hulin.  Her traits are disciplined, virtuoso, never nude, frugal and friendly. She was the first born of twins by 2 mins. Vivian from young on was very independent and outspoken.  Anything she set her mind to she would do.  Her childhood was not that much different than most children, it was pretty happy, with a few bumps along the way. One of the bumps was having a mother who was depressed. It bothered her that her mother seemed sad a lot.  She couldn't understand why.  Her dad was a great man, and he seemed to be good to her and her mom. Aunt Lena was also very loving and nice, so she didn't know where her mother's sadness stemmed from. Even Aunt Corrine and Uncle Brett were very nice. She wished she could find the magic key to make her mother happy.   Other than that everything was pretty routine and life went on.

Vivian was the apple of her father's eye and she adored him.  There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Life was good.  Her only other regret was the relationship with her younger sister.  Violet didn't seem to like her, and pretty much kept to herself.  She always felt twins should be closer than just regular brothers and sisters, but no matter how hard she tried, Violet rebuffed her.  Vivian never stopped trying to have a close relationship, but it never happened.  This was the second disappointment of her childhood.  Even with these bumps Vivian was content with life and was preparing for her future.  She wanted to go to college and become a doctor.  This had been her life long dream for as long as she could remember.  She was excitedly preparing for her future until the day her life came crashing down around her. 

That day would forever be etched in her mind.  Uncle Brett had approached her and said he had something to tell her that her mother had been keeping from her, and he felt she deserved to know.  Well he wasn't really her uncle, but they had always called him that.  Uncle Brett had always been nothing but loving to her, so imagine her grief when he hinted that the dad she knew and loved wasn't her dad.  At first she didn't believe it, but deciding she needed to find out that he was lying, she decided to go to city hall and look up her birth certificate. Unfortunately the name on the birth certificate confirmed what Uncle Brett had told her. The name she saw there was Alexander Hulin.  She couldn't believe this.  Who was this man?  Was he related to her father? How could she accept that the father she knew and loved wasn't hers after all?  She woodenly exited city hall and happened to run into aunt Lena and in her grief blurted out what she had found out.   Aunt Lena if she was surprised didn't show it. Vivian tried asking her for some answers, but Aunt Lena told her she should talk to her mother.  Vivian went home and confronted her mother asking who Alexander Hulin was, and she refused to tell her. Youko didn't think Vivian needed to know, so she refused to tell her.   She didn't want her to know that she had slept with Argus's son. Vivian told her mother if she wasn't going to get answers from her she would get them herself.  Vivian knew that those words upset her mother, but she needed to know, so she went again to city hall to get information.  To her complete disbelief there was no information to be found.  It was like he never existed.  Vivian had never felt so lost and alone in her life until she came home and found her mother in bed in a coma like state.  Oh could life get any worse?  Would her mother ever wake up?  If she didn't what would Vivian do?  She didn't know, but she was going to stay by her mother's bedside until she did. 

This is Violet, the younger twin of Vivian. Her traits are couch potato, light sleeper, nurturing, virtuoso and savvy sculptor.  She always resented her older sister, because her mom and dad always seemed to lavish more attention on Vivian.  She knew her parents loved her, but somehow to her she always fell short in her parents' eyes.  Violet wished that she knew why her parents never seemed to approve of her.  Every time she tried to make them proud of her it backfired.  Violet got the feeling that they wished Vivian hadn't been a twin. Vivian being first born seemed to be the one to excel in everything.  She was independent, proud and everything she did was charmed.  Violet on the other hand always seemed to get into trouble and was an unending source of grief to her parents.  She didn't mean to be, but it always seemed to work out that way. 

Vivian as they were growing up, tried to have a relationship with her, but Violet wouldn't let her.  She put up walls between them, because she resented her.  She didn't care if it bothered Vivian.  She didn't like her sister and never would.  If Vivian hadn't been first born she could have been the one that her parents were proud of.  For this she would never forgive her.  Violet knew it was wrong to blame Vivian for something that wasn't her fault, but she couldn't force herself to feel something she didn't feel.  She resented the fact that Vivian graduated high school and she had to drop out of school her sophomore year and lied to her parents until the end of her jr. year.  She had tried to do good in school, but she just wasn't as smart as her sister, and fell woefully behind.  She knew that her parents would eventually find out, but waited as long as she could.  The day came when her parents started talking about throwing her a graduation party, and asked her what she wanted.  Violet knew all the lies and deceptions were over, and looking at the ground she blurted out that she had dropped out of school the year before.  There was complete, total uncomfortable silence.  Slowly with dread she looked up. Violet would never forget the look on their faces. Violet saw complete and utter shock, as well as an undefinable look she couldn’t quite interpret. Whatever it was, she could tell that they took her failure personally.

Now Violet was once again in a situation that she knew her parents wouldn't be proud of.  Violet had fallen in love with a man 20 years older than her.   She knew her parents wouldn't approve of him so she was meeting him in secret.  She didn't want to disappoint her parents, but she couldn't stop seeing him.  They had only been lovers for the past 3 months, but she needed him to live, like the air she breathed.  She never believed she would feel this way about someone.  Unfortunately though he didn't always treat her the best.  Their relationship was controlled by him, and sometimes that drove her crazy especially when he found reasons not to meet up with her.   Why didn't he seem to want to be with her like she did with him?  Sometimes she wondered if she shouldn't just end it, but how?  Besides she had been lying to her parents and taking big risks so it would all be for nothing if she broke it off.  Then again, she didn't know if he would let her do it. 

Now her mother for some unknown reason was lying in bed unable to wake up, and Violet couldn't muster up much feeling for her.  She had been neglectful toward Violet growing up, and so she wasn't very close to her mother.  Violet didn't want to be in the bedroom by the bed, she wanted to be in bed with her lover holding her.  Maybe that makes her an uncaring witch, but the only thing that mattered was him.  In fact instead of her being sorry about her mother, she was irritated that this could make it impossible for her to meet her lover, and she didn't want to lose him.  Unfortunately if she wanted to keep her relationship a secret, she would have to play the loving daughter.  She just hoped it wouldn't before very long.