Chapter 2

A few days later the family life was going to change. Steven and Patty had been up for hours packing things and talking quietly. Rebecca opened her eyes and smelled the smoke from the moring fire. She heard a quiet murmer that she knew was her father. Dogs were barking already and she was glad she took the bus to school. She dressed and came out of the tent. 'Well good morning sweet angel. How well are you?' Bluesage looked cheerfully at his budding teenage daughter. Each time he looked at her his heart took a leap deeper in love and appreciation for her as his child. He knew she would have challenges, and meet them well today.

She saw the boxes piled up next to the table and began to pout. 'Not again; we are moving again dad?' She looked over at her mom who just shrugged her shoulders. 'I know we have to move because of you and dad, but I am so tired of every time I get some new friends, you guys move me. I don't know how I am going to make new ones this late in the school year.' Becca heard geese and looked up in time to see them fly in formation across the early morning sky. The day was just breaking out from it's night sleep. 'Come here Rebecca. Sit down by me.' he said rather sternly. He noticed her offensive words to her mother. Steven could see it was time for a bit of discussion. 'Do you know about the magic of kindness Becca?' He looked down at her to see if she was listening. She was still watching the geese. Blue just went on, knowning she was listening just the same.

'Kindness is almost always bigger when it is received than when it is given. What may be a small thing for you to offer can make a tremendous difference to those who receive it. Kindness vastly increases the effectiveness of your efforts. Even a small kindness can bring a big result. And a truly ambitious kindness can change the world. 'Kindness multiplies itself in a way that seems almost magical. Do you understand this dear? Your mother and I move because we love our family and we need to move with the flow of traffic in life. We want to be safe and happy. You are not harmed by this Rebecca.'

She nodded her head. She was sure he was not going to change his mind, so she just listened. What more could she do now? He noticed her mannerism and felt it was just her way to listen, so he continued. 'Those whose lives are filled with richness are those who know and understand the value of genuine kindness. Kindness is not a difficult thing to grasp or to bring about, and is freely available to all who wish to practice it. Every day you come across numerous opportunities for kindness. Each one of them is brimming with a value more precious than gold. Avail yourself of those opportunities to spread kindness. And know the special magic that kindness brings. You keep this in your heart all your days you will find friends everywhere your eyes gaze. Now give me a hug and then hug your mother and apologize. Then eat your breakfast mom has made for you. The bus will be here shortly.'

Later that evening they arrived at the new home Blue and Patty had discovered online when they visited the library. 'It's kinda creepy, don't you think Blue? 'Darling, let's go inside and see. Becca you carry this bag and I'll get these two. Come on girls.'

What they saw was very odd. They came into a home that was cracked and decayed. The furniture was all covered in sheets and seemed rather spooky to Becca. 'Dad, are we staying here? It smells bad. Look at the walls, they don't have paint and some of it is falling off. Look at those sheets. They scare me.' 'Oh honey, you're safe with me and mom. Look Patty, a stove and fridge. Wow, it's working too'. Blue looks over at Patty as she smiles. 'Been awhile for one of those hasn't it darling?' Patty takes the milk out of the cooler and puts it on the shelf. She seems pleased as she closes the door.

'Hmm, it seems it has been uninhabited for some time. I wonder what is upstairs. He found a candlestick on the covered table. He struck a match and lit it. The girls hovered near him as they walked up the creaky stairs. Upstairs they found plumbing that was moldy and smelled of sewer gases. The floorboards in the upstairs were soft and Blue had the girls stand back while he investigated further. The walls had paint peeling. There was a musty smell of rodents in the air. He could see by the dim light that the room had a bed that was broken down and full of cobwebs to say the least. He knew that was off limits. The rest of the room housed more furniture covered in sheets. Underneath he discovered a large chest full of sleeping bags. They were dusty but didn't smell too bad. He pulled one out and showed it to them.

Oh my sims, what is that Blue?' ' Ooo daddy, we have to use them?' Now come on let's not give up hope yet. Here Patty, you take these and Becca, you take this one. Let's go see what's in the other room. For some time Blue tried to open the other door. It was swollen shut and no amount of effort put forth even a tiny budge. 'Well, let's just forget that. Who's hungry for some rabbit? I have some in the cooler that I caught while you were at school.' For days the family lived in peace and contentment. The neighbors dropped by to see who was in the old house. It had been vacant for decades, and all were very interested in who would live there now. The tale was that the home was haunted. Steven and Patty fed the masses that came and had a good laugh over the idea of hauntings.

'Why I thought it was a plane in the area, and it was this house groaning and making noise so severly, I called the cops. They didn't do anything Sally. Can you believethat one? They told me it was the middle of the night and they couldn't be bothered.' 'I know if your wife had a cake receipe I could use it for the next school function. Your daugher is so lovely and will be marvelous as the hostess for our next Parents Conference, which is tomorrow.' Blue smiled at the woman. He knew Patty and Becca were hiding from this group. He thought they odd, but curious. 'I'll have to talk to my wife about that.' Always the gentleman and a good host.

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