Chapter 3.9 - Childhood/Motherhood

- 1965 -

Maria Mena – Am I supposed to apologize? 

But I will spend a lifetime
Trying to understand
Why someone sharing my bloodline
Would not lend me their hand

- 1988 -




Interestingly, a while after the new school opened, Isaac has shifted to actually bike all the way over there to go to school, even though it is at the opposite end of town from where he lives, and much farther away then his original school. But the town council is of course very happy that the kids are actually using the new school!

This evening, Natalie got the idea that she should take Aaron for a visit to her grandmother, Eva Goth-Asli. Unfortunately, Friederich, her grandfather, had moved out because their marriage had been pretty awful for several years. It is amazing it lasted as long as it did, truthfully speaking.




Isaac still hadn't left school, sitting outside doing his homework.




This is grandma Eva Goth-Aslis house. She is Aarons great grandmother. For some reason, she has left her front door open...





Eva: Hi, Natalie. Nice to see you and little Aaron for a change. Come on in.





Natalie: So umm.. I was wondering if you could uhh.. lend me some cash.. I have had a few expenses lately...





Eva: Was that why you came to visit? If so, the answer is no, you can't!





Natalie: Well, I never really liked your house.. Your wallpaper is hideous, and look at those cheap dining chairs! Are you colorblind, or what is that?





Eva: You have some nerve coming here talking like that!




And Natalie is still a bit reckless when it comes to her youngest son. She apparently thought it was a good idea to leave him outside on the lawn, before she entered her grandmas house.




She is finding herself right at home in her grandma's kitchen, though.




Aaron has learned how to walk, and somehow he had managed to sneak inside without anyone noticing while Natalie was preparing and eating her meal.




Natalie had gone upstairs to her mothers old bedroom to play with the toys there. This wasn't very popular with grandma...

Eva: You have always been such a big child, Natalie! Huh? You're a disgrace to the family!





Natalie: But, but..



Eva: I don't want to hear it, Natalie! There's no excuse! Grow up! You're almost as pathetic as your sister!




Natalie: Don't insult me! You have no idea how hard I am working to feed my children, and to teach them what they should know! All by myself! I can be an adult if I want to! Playing with toys is nearly the only time I get some time off!





Eva: So what!? I had three children!* Your mother and her two brothers! And do you think Friederich did much at home!? No, he was JUST as childish and lazy as you probably are! I only stuck out with him for the kids!

* Eva doesn't know about Billy, she thinks Natalie only has two children.





Eva: I mean, I remember when your mother was born. She was our first baby, and we were so excited back then to have kids! But of course, that didn't last forever.. All I'm saying is, it was hard for me, too. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on you. You can play with the toys if you like.. they were your mom's after all...




And so she did. Young little Natalie that never quite grew up.




After a while it was getting late, and Natalie must have suffered some kind of amnesia because she kept wandering around looking completely lost for a couple of hours complaining that she couldn't find her way out ..... before she finally came to herself and figured out how to pick up Aaron and go home...




And the following morning marked the start of the rainy season once more. Isaac, now roughly 8 and half years old, still rode the lang way to the new school building. Well, I guess a fresh, new school building is better then an old one. First building to the right across the bridge there is the town's fire station.




On this overview photo Isaac is almost at the corner by the yellow house and the taxi, whereas is home is way over there on the other edge of the town, slightly to the left and up from the building with the grey dome on top, across the bridge there.




A little closer view. The building with the dome on top houses the cinema, and also a few rooms with instruments that can be rented for practice for up and coming musicians.




"What was I going to do here again? Oh... yeah, food.. I was going to feed him..."

Really, Natalie? Where is your mind at?




The following Friday night after work, Natalie wanted to visit the Twilight Tavern again. Crowded or empty, there was something about the atmosphere of that place that appealed to her. And this Friday well, to call it crowded would be an overstatement, but the number of guests had atleast increased by a few hundred percent since last time. This could be a good night.




She didn't go out all that often though, so she didn't know anyone that well, but sitting by the bar and sipping at a drink was nice enough. And there was always the bartender to chat to, if she wanted to socialize.




Yeah, isn't that typical. Just when she had built up the courage to ask someone for a dance, the bar closes. But the drowsy eyes tell me she had a good night anyway.




While she was out, the babysitter had taken good care of Aaron, so he was fed and well-rested. His only problem was that no one had let him out of the crib to use the potty in the morning.




Isaac was up doing what kids typically do, and Natalie was still in bed sound asleep.







Well, it wasn't long before she woke up to take care of Aaron with a... uh, smile on her face. A screaming toddler is not what you want to deal with when you're hungover, probably not, but I have no sympathy there!




When Natalie comes home from work later that saturday evening, she is dead tired from lack of sleep the night before (because she was out at the bar, of course), so she goes straight past Aaron and Billy and to bed, leaving them by themselves for the night..




And this was the result of that, of course. He woke Natalie up from crying, before falling asleep on the floor. Natalie wasn't happy about that, as she stood there watching him and muttering some curses under her breath.




Before turning to play with the toys again..

Now the following sunday evening after work Natalie was perhaps even more tired and exhausted, and was feeling downright unhappy, which probably led to her doing this, taking out all her frustrations on the doll house..





Natalie: You need to grow up, Natalie!





Natalie: Time to go to work, Natalie!





Natalie: You're a disgrace to the family, Natalie!





Natalie: I just wanted to eat, mommy!





Natalie: Shut your mouth, Natalie!





Natalie: Go back to your room, Natalie!





Natalie: Mommy doesn't give a shit, Natalie!

Wait, wait... what was that all about, Natalie? Is everything ok there? It kind of doesn't look like it.... Hmm, maybe you should be paying your mommy a visit next time. Sounds like the two of you might have something to talk about.. or maybe ..not?





Natalie: Oh, no.. what did I just do? I destroyed the dollhouse!

Yes, yes you did Natalie.. I think you need to talk to someone about that... Something there is just not right...




This is a bit concerning...




And after she fainted and lied there for a while, she went to the bathroom to take a shower. Not at all getting enough rest. And, oh yeah, the toilet is broken. Please go to bed and get some rest now, Natalie..




Get some rest now...

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Chapter 3.8 – Smoke detector

Song: Natalie Imbruglia – Smoke

After Isaacs return the rainy season was here once more..




Aah, isn't it good to be back to normal school with all the regular kids again? Or atleast the ones you are used to. Even if its raining cats and dogs..




And while we are her among this colorful bunch of kids, let me just introduce one girl for you. This one standing here with the red hair and yellow wings, constantly biting her bottom lip, is Isabella Pammy-Vasquez, Isaac and Aarons cousin. She has the distinct look from the Pammy side of the family, with the thin and narrow face, just like young Aaron.




Natalie: What do we have a lot of during rainy season, Aaron?
Aaron: ...?
Natalie: Rain. Can you say that after me? Rain.
Aaron: .. Rw.. Rw... Rain!
Natalie: Very good, Aaron! Very good! Rain! We have a lot of rain!

"Maybe he is not so bad after all, that little boy..." Natalie thought.




Eat, my child..




Isaac in a water balloon fight with the babysitter outside at the height of rainy season. Oh well... :p




Going to boarding school must have had some impact on Isaac, as he is no longer doing pranks and is usually quite good at helping out around the house.




But mom can be a prankster too!




Isaac got sick from eating some bad left over food in the fridge. What did the ghost say about cleaning again, Natalie? You've been doing great for so long, don't slip up...




Somehow Aaron has learned a new trick. He woke up in the middle of the night and walked out of the crib all on his own.. Must be something special about that kid.

And also..it's hard being a single mom with three* kids, I'll give you that, but is it necessary to dump that stinking pile of clothes in the boys room? I think it is not!
* The third kid is Billy, but Natalie keeps him hidden away in the room a lot of the time, and keeps telling him and the kids that he is only "a little plush toy" and an "imaginary friend" and on occasion she even appears to believe it is so herself.....
Billy is the result of the affair she had at work with her former boss in the political career...
I wonder how she is going to deal with Billy getting older.. he is going to have to start school at one point.. She can't keep him like that forever!




Just another rainy morning for the kids waiting for the school bell to ring. I have left the green plumbob on so you can see where Isaac is standing. The school is divided into two parts, the right section has the classroom for the kids (age 6 -12), the left section has the classroom for the teenagers (age 13 - 18). On the second floor, there is a library.




Aaron: Whaah!! I'm hungry!! Mommy!!
What's on your mind here, Natalie? Do you even hear your son at all?




Natalie..?
Well, I suppose you're only doing your best..



Natalie: What did the thief steal from us, Aaron?

I don't think Aaron will remember that Natalie.. he wasn't even born yet when it happened!

Aaron: ...?
Natalie: The bathtub. Can you say bathtub, Aaron?
Aaron: ... no!
Natalie: ...oh, well, then... (sigh)...

Once the small family is asleep, I stop by The Old Weavery to see if there is anything happening on a Monday night. There are a few people there, but it is relatively quiet. And I see this bartender does not like to hang around other people all that much. Well, you chose the wrong line of work then, sweetheart. Ida Iqbal-Sandli (a local human, to the left) conversing with Belinda Myren-Goth (one of the few local vampires, to the right). Now I check the family tree to see if Belinda is related to Natalie in someway (since they both share the Goth name), but after some clicking around she does not show up there. How she got that name, I don't know... She could have been briefly married to one of Natalies uncles, maybe. She is not a relative by blood in any case.

The rain stopped on the last day of the rainy season, as Isaac's school went on a field trip to the Senkapigo Mausoleum to learn about the towns rich collection of old skulls and bones. "No, Isaac! Those maggots are not for eating! Spit them out!" the teacher told him...




No need to say, Isaac got a little dirty from crawling around in the deepest, most narrow (and darkest, of course) parts of the mauseloum and went for a shower when he came back fromt he tour. And as should be expected, the shower broke. Mommy must call the repair man again when she gets home...




Dry season had begun, and Aaron had just turned 4 years old. Another view of the kids entering the school building.




Natalie: Aaron.. what is hanging on the wall in momma's kitchen?
Aaron: ..wall!
Natalie: Haha, no Aaron.. it's a smoke detector. Can you say smoke detector?
Aaron: Sss.. smoke... smoke detector!
Natalie: That's very good Aaron! Very good!
Aaron: The smoke detector is.. hanging on the wall!



And voila, Aaron had now also learned to talk! About time...



And finally Natalie had saved up enough cash to buy a washing machine. It's not just to buy one and plop it in there. First she had to expand the bathroom to make room for it, and of course move the shower and the toilet back which also meant to rebuild the plumbing, so the costs did add up a bit. But now it was finally done. Be gone with you, stinking piles of dirty clothes! May you come out clean.




Well, she couldn't afford more then the cheapest kind of washing machine, so it was a bit noisy, but at least it got the job done.



She thought it was a good idea to place the clothes line under the boys bedroom on the 2nd floor, so that she could also be using it during the rainy season. Unless, of course, it decided to rain sideways for whatever reason.




And, well, somehow she had also found the means to invest in a seesaw, much to the amusement of the kids...




Isaac: Are we rich now, mom?




Natalie: Not quite, but my restaurant job pays well enough.




It still happened, though, that Aaron and Billy was left alone and hungry in his crib in the dark at night. And with their older brother finding it more comfortable to sleep in his mothers bed downstairs, there was no one there to hear them screaming.




This wasn't deliberate on Natalie's part. Probably just forgetfulness, but it could be all the same for Aaron. He was alone and hungry, nonetheless. Feelings he had gotten quite used to over time, but he never gave up crying. His life depended on getting fed, after all. And it is crucial for any child's development to feel loved by their caregiver or caregivers. Well, that should be obvious.




Natalie had taught him everything he needed, to use the potty, to walk and to talk, but that aside, she would often just give him the bare minimum needed to survive, and that was it, often prioritizing her own comfort above Aarons.




Not necessarily because she is evil, even though she is, but more because she has an underdeveloped ability to fully empathize and understand the world from anothers point of view. Or something like that, maybe.




The school situation in town had long been less than optimal, with only one school to serve every kid in town. And in recent years it had gotten so bad, there literally wasn't room for everyone which resulted in some kids voluntarily or involuntarily skipping school altogether. The town council had long been aware of this problem, but due to the towns area being limited by the old wall (which was forbidden to tear down because it is an important heritage for the nation) there really wasn't any good available lots of the right location and size to build a new school. But the situation had become so dire for the kids now being forced to wait outside, something had to be done.




Now the only available spot considered large enough was the empty space by the towns western entry point on the other side of the main road from the military base and the gym. It was considered a much less than ideal spot due to its location, but it was the only option the town had without tearing down and relocating people's homes or businesses. So a hasty desicion was now made to finally build the new school.




And the town council decided to go all out this time, constructing a new school that was massive compared to the old one. With several classrooms for children and teenagers, and even an indoor swimming pool for the kids to get their swimming lessons inside (so that they wouldn't have to use the towns main public swimming pool).




And it was pleasing to see that Isaac after school (still going to the old school) finally discovered one of the small parks/playgrounds that was made around town.




Mommys workplace, The Zombie Restaurant, can be seen in the background and to the right in this picture. And finally some other kids, too!

Live Skullerud-Mekori: I heard that they store something dangerous in the basement at The Philosophical Centre that they are going to poison our drinking water with.




Isaac: And you really believe that nonsense? That's so stupid, Live!




Isabella Pammy-Vasquez (his cousin): Your mother is an ugly donkey, and we don't want to play with you, Isaac! This is a girls only park!







Live: Do you believe in dragons? I believe in dragons, I think they live in the forest. Ludvik said he saw one fly over town yesterday!




Isaac: Girls.. I don't understand them.. dragon flying over town.. probably just a flock of birds...I'm heading home..




Friday night and Natalie stayed at work after hours to play with the mirror in the bathroom.




Isaac had gone to sleep in Natalie's bed, and the babysitter was there, struggling with Aaron.

Saturday afternoon:



Natalie: Watch me now, Isaac. This is how you clean the shower properly.




Saturday after work, Natalie wanted to head out to the Twilight Tavern, a brown pub in the poorer area on the western side of town. It has a splendid location there, right next to the criminal hide out.




The place wasn't very lively, as she was the only customer... She still spent the night there until closing time, playing shuffle board , having a few drinks and conversing with the bartender.




As she got home, she made sure to feed Aaron, but ignoring his need for affection from his mom, and forgetting him in the baby chair before putting herself to bed.





Oh no, not that again...
"I see.... that your.... mother... have been..... neglecting..... you again.....Aaron.. lets see..... if we can .......wake her up..."

Aaron: Wake mommy up!




"Hello again.....Natalie... Placing me far..... in the forest..... was a clever.... trick..

"To bad.... it didn't...... work..

"Now.. your son....... he needs your..... attention....... Natalie..."




"Don't look..... scared,......Natalie.. just go...... to your son....."




"That is much...... better......Natalie.. Keep that up....... and I will...... leave shortly.. That is the...... only............ thing that will......... make me go....... away......"




"Well done............Natalie... look how.........clean the.........kitchen.....just got......"




Ghostly figure: Clearly she has made some new investments since last time I was here.. nice.




Ghostly figure: Hello, Natalie.. I see you are cooking..




Ghostly figure: Let me just play with your food for a while...

Yes, this is inside the oven.. the ghost is shaking the food around! And of course, making Natalie unable to do anything with it.. until it catches fire.




Ghostly figure: Ooops... ooh, this is so loud...




Really? Come on.. darn ghost! Then I tell Natalie to put out the flames, but she ignores everything I tell her. She won't put Aaron down, and she won't put out the flames. But she can call the fire department, I suppose...




More and more of the kitchen catches fire.. before the fire woman finally arrives and manages to put it out..




And immdiately the ghostly figure disappears, I guess he though his work there was done.. what an..... this is going to take some more out of Natalie's budget, as if she needed that..




Natalie: Aahh! Did I hear something? Did he come back? He tried to kill us!




"Well I must ....admit.. that got..... a little..... out of hand....."




"I think this.... family .......will not.... need us ....anymore... goodbye... ....for now..."




Isaac: Wow.. did you see that, Aaron? A magical teddy bear just appeared on the floor!


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