1980s: Changes
In the start of 1983, it's time for Cindy to become an adult. This is a big moment for anyone, but for Cindy it's something she's longed for since her sisters moved out. To be free, independent, to go her own way. As Oasis Springs develops, there are fewer and fewer teens around. Once a thriving town for families, Oasis Springs now have a lot of grandparents, but younger people move away, and houses are too expensive for young families. Cindy cannot wait to get out of here. To go to the big city, to experience life!
But first, a birthday party. As usual it's held in the garden, with ribs and burgers on the menu and swimming as an optional activity. Cindy loves it. Especially as it means seeing her sisters again.
When she blows out her candles, she dreams of becoming a rock star, of living fast and having fun.
But first college, to make sur her parents don't have a fit. There is no way she'll get out of that. And while she waits for her acceptance letter, what better way to spend the time but practising her new diving skill at the diving bord they installed this summer.
Another one breaking the surface is Carl, now on his honeymoon in Sulani and in a sillier mood than he usually is.
Even here, he starts his morning with a job. While Sydney prefers yoga on the beach. They both prefer the open water to the pool, especially when they can find a private beach. In the sunshine and romantic sunsets, it's easy to push Vietnam to the back of the mind, and Carl tells himself this is not the place or time, but that it's better to wait until they return home.
When summer turns to fall, life takes new turns. For Chris, it's time to start preschool. Michael takes him early on his first day, so that he can meet his new teacher in peace and quiet.
Carl likes her. A lot. Especially when she agrees to read to him. Michael feels safe to leave him there while going to work himself, certain Carl will enjoy the company of other children once they arrive.
Cindy, on her end, is getting ready for university. She's opted for studying music theory at Britechester, something that horrifies her parents.
"What kind of job can that give?" her father asks.
"Music is not a reliable career," her mother warns as she shares her dreams of becoming a pop-star.
But Cindy doesn't care. She's made up her mind. First Britechester, find some people to play with, some local gigs, then the city, perhaps move in with Beth and Cathy or find a place of her own with some friends, then stardom and fame is the next stop. She sees herself winning awards, going on tours and having hords of fans following her every move. And if she can see it, she can make it happen. She just knows it!
But whether they approve of her choice of subject or not, Arthur and Claudia go with their daughter to college, and help her get settled into her dorm room. Cindy more or less covers the walls with posters. "They're so boring otherwise."
First day at college is all about getting to know people, and a little bit about getting a head start on your schoolwork. She starts with introducing herself to her dorm mates.
And then to some class mates, as well as one of the teachers.
Soon one of her dorm mates, Tessa, starts being someone she hangs around more often. Her style is cool and they're into the same music, and both wish they could have courses on guitar, pop and modern music instead of violin.
No matter how much Cindy likes people though, she sometimes needs a little privacy. That's when she walks around Britechester, enjoying the scenery.
Life isn't just changing for Cindy, but for her sisters too. For Beth, her life long dream is about to come true as she's finally accepted into the astronaut training program.
She might not become the first US woman in space, as Sally Ride just beat her to it, but that's not important for her right now. All she knows is that if she plays her cards right, she will one day get to go.
Of course, this means moving, as the astronaut training program is located in Creek Lake* outside of Houston, but if she was worried about her sister, she didn't have to be. While she was getting job offers, Cathy was getting offers all of her own as Steve asks her to be his wife.
Of course Cathy says yes!
And so when Beth tells her sister about her job, Cathy tells Beth about her engagement.
"This is perfect!" she exclaims. "I move in with Steve, you go off to become an astronaut!"
The next few weeks are busy. Cathy is determined to get married before her sister moves away, and while the weather still is warm so she can have a wedding outside in Myshuno Meadows. But there is so much to do and fall is moving fast.
She has to try on dresses, by flowers and fix her hair:
Then there is the matter of telling her parents, and introducing Steve to them:
And in the middle of all those preparations, Cathy gets promoted.
Finally, the day has come, and the weather is on her side. On a stunningly beautiful fall day, the family gathers in the botanical gardens in Myshuno Meadows. They've reserved a part of the park for themselves. Chairs have been put out, a banquet table arranged and Cathy is wearing the dress of her dreams. Beth on the other hand is wondering why her sister insisted she'd wear pink. She feels like a merengue. Not that she says a word to her sister.
Cathy beams as she and Steve walk down the isle together.
Every moment of the ceremony will be a moment she treasures forever.
But first, a birthday party. As usual it's held in the garden, with ribs and burgers on the menu and swimming as an optional activity. Cindy loves it. Especially as it means seeing her sisters again.
When she blows out her candles, she dreams of becoming a rock star, of living fast and having fun.
But first college, to make sur her parents don't have a fit. There is no way she'll get out of that. And while she waits for her acceptance letter, what better way to spend the time but practising her new diving skill at the diving bord they installed this summer.
Another one breaking the surface is Carl, now on his honeymoon in Sulani and in a sillier mood than he usually is.
Even here, he starts his morning with a job. While Sydney prefers yoga on the beach. They both prefer the open water to the pool, especially when they can find a private beach. In the sunshine and romantic sunsets, it's easy to push Vietnam to the back of the mind, and Carl tells himself this is not the place or time, but that it's better to wait until they return home.
When summer turns to fall, life takes new turns. For Chris, it's time to start preschool. Michael takes him early on his first day, so that he can meet his new teacher in peace and quiet.
Carl likes her. A lot. Especially when she agrees to read to him. Michael feels safe to leave him there while going to work himself, certain Carl will enjoy the company of other children once they arrive.
Cindy, on her end, is getting ready for university. She's opted for studying music theory at Britechester, something that horrifies her parents.
"What kind of job can that give?" her father asks.
"Music is not a reliable career," her mother warns as she shares her dreams of becoming a pop-star.
But Cindy doesn't care. She's made up her mind. First Britechester, find some people to play with, some local gigs, then the city, perhaps move in with Beth and Cathy or find a place of her own with some friends, then stardom and fame is the next stop. She sees herself winning awards, going on tours and having hords of fans following her every move. And if she can see it, she can make it happen. She just knows it!
But whether they approve of her choice of subject or not, Arthur and Claudia go with their daughter to college, and help her get settled into her dorm room. Cindy more or less covers the walls with posters. "They're so boring otherwise."
First day at college is all about getting to know people, and a little bit about getting a head start on your schoolwork. She starts with introducing herself to her dorm mates.
And then to some class mates, as well as one of the teachers.
Soon one of her dorm mates, Tessa, starts being someone she hangs around more often. Her style is cool and they're into the same music, and both wish they could have courses on guitar, pop and modern music instead of violin.
No matter how much Cindy likes people though, she sometimes needs a little privacy. That's when she walks around Britechester, enjoying the scenery.
Life isn't just changing for Cindy, but for her sisters too. For Beth, her life long dream is about to come true as she's finally accepted into the astronaut training program.
She might not become the first US woman in space, as Sally Ride just beat her to it, but that's not important for her right now. All she knows is that if she plays her cards right, she will one day get to go.
Of course, this means moving, as the astronaut training program is located in Creek Lake* outside of Houston, but if she was worried about her sister, she didn't have to be. While she was getting job offers, Cathy was getting offers all of her own as Steve asks her to be his wife.
Of course Cathy says yes!
And so when Beth tells her sister about her job, Cathy tells Beth about her engagement.
"This is perfect!" she exclaims. "I move in with Steve, you go off to become an astronaut!"
The next few weeks are busy. Cathy is determined to get married before her sister moves away, and while the weather still is warm so she can have a wedding outside in Myshuno Meadows. But there is so much to do and fall is moving fast.
She has to try on dresses, by flowers and fix her hair:
Then there is the matter of telling her parents, and introducing Steve to them:
And in the middle of all those preparations, Cathy gets promoted.
Finally, the day has come, and the weather is on her side. On a stunningly beautiful fall day, the family gathers in the botanical gardens in Myshuno Meadows. They've reserved a part of the park for themselves. Chairs have been put out, a banquet table arranged and Cathy is wearing the dress of her dreams. Beth on the other hand is wondering why her sister insisted she'd wear pink. She feels like a merengue. Not that she says a word to her sister.
Cathy beams as she and Steve walk down the isle together.
Every moment of the ceremony will be a moment she treasures forever.
Once the vows are exchanged and they are husband and wife, it's time for dinner.
Beth makes a beautiful toast to her sister, that most don't hear a word of.
Beth makes a beautiful toast to her sister, that most don't hear a word of.
Then it's time for the cake:
Before it's time to head off for their first night as husband and wife:
The next morning, Cathy and Beth meet up in the now almost entirely empty apartment. Most of the furniture is going with Beth to Creek Lake, and now they just need to know that nothing is forgotten.
"I can't believe you're letting me have everything," Beth says. "It hardly seems fair."
Cathy shrugs. "I'm moving into a furnished apartment, and besides, Steve has agreed to let me redo the entire place. New furniture, new wall colors, new carpets... it's going to be so beautiful."
"Well I suppose this is it. The last moment of living together."
"We'll always be sisters," Cathy replies. "And when we have kids, we'll raise them together, right? Like we always said."
"Let's see about getting me into space first, shall we?" Beth laughs.
* I intend to use Willow Creek for this, as it's most suited in environment to be a Texan town, even if this means rebuilding the town to fit the new environment. I will use the name Creek Lake to differentiate between the Willow Creek of the family heritage.
Before it's time to head off for their first night as husband and wife:
The next morning, Cathy and Beth meet up in the now almost entirely empty apartment. Most of the furniture is going with Beth to Creek Lake, and now they just need to know that nothing is forgotten.
"I can't believe you're letting me have everything," Beth says. "It hardly seems fair."
Cathy shrugs. "I'm moving into a furnished apartment, and besides, Steve has agreed to let me redo the entire place. New furniture, new wall colors, new carpets... it's going to be so beautiful."
"Well I suppose this is it. The last moment of living together."
"We'll always be sisters," Cathy replies. "And when we have kids, we'll raise them together, right? Like we always said."
"Let's see about getting me into space first, shall we?" Beth laughs.
** Also, Steve Rogers? How could I not have paid enough attention to notice this when he showed up in Cupid Corner?
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