In my last installment, Allie gave birth to the first of Gen 2, Bradley Catchick.
After Bradley was born, both Allie and Issac got right back to work. Beezus also works, but she works at night in a comedy club, so during the day she gets to be the baby sitter. “Gets” is a loosely interpreted word. Neither Allie or Issac actually asked her if she wanted to babysit her nephew. They just left for work, one of the calling out “Beezus! We’re leaving now!” and expecting her to take care of Bradley.
She was miserable. She had things she wanted to do. Like practice her jokes or guitar for work, or visit with friends. Even though she loved her sister, and knew that staying to help out was the right thing to do, Beezus felt… frustrated with her situation.
One day, she saw an add on television for a new nanny service starting up in town. On a whim, she called and hired a nanny for the day. She could go out and do stuff. Bradley would be taken care of. No one would be the wiser!
Except that she lost track of time… and by the time she returned home, Issac was sitting on the couch, talking to the nanny.
Allie was in the kitchen making dinner and silently fuming. The sisters exchanged words. Some of them were very unpleasant. Did Beezus realize that they had to pay the nanny $75 for her services? For ONE DAY? Did Allie realize that Beezus wasn’t a servant? Or that she had a life, too?
After that, things are strained in the house. Allie and Beezus aren’t talking. Issac starts going to the gym to relieve stress.
Finally, Bradley is old enough to start school.
However… the Catchick’s adventures is child-rearing is just ramping up…
There’s really not much else to say. Beezus is pissed that her sister is pregnant again. Having Bradley took a lot out of Allie and between work, and being tired all the time, Allie had placed a lot on her sister’s (and husband’s) shoulders. The news that a new baby was coming meant one thing, and one thing only to Beezus… she would be trapped.
Frustrated because her sister wouldn’t listen to her and feeling trapped by the idea of more babies, Beezus turns to her long-term boyfriend, Evan. They hatch a plan to elope, and one day, while Allie and Issac are at work and Bradley is in school, they run off together. Beezus never returns, choosing to live with her husband in Windenburg.
Shortly after that, the second Catchick of Gen 2 is born. Brenna Catchick, who is squeamish, clumsy and will someday grow up to be materialistic. (REALLY??? Stupid random traits!) As a child, she will be a social butterfly, and will someday become a Nature Enthusiast.
Our 5th Event Roll is to “redecorate the exterior of house.” Does that just mean siding, or landscaping, too?