Sagehen Mesa - Season 3 - Episode 2- Checking in on the Culpeppers

It's me, Dara. We've been here in Sagehen Mesa for the better part of a year now. As I suspected, settling in has been a challenge for me. I'm doing pretty well in school, but it's mostly because I don't have any social life to speak of. The boys in this town are so LAME! I try to befriend them, but I never seem to say the right thing, and they take offense. Riverview boys were not nearly as thin-skinned as this bunch. The only girls my age around here spend all their time babysitting or seem to have their own cliques and haven't been interested in including the "new girl." I hate it here!

On the upside, like I said, my grades are pretty good. I just got done with a big career-exploration project where I visited the firehouse and interviewed some of the firemen. One of them was pretty cute! Too bad he's too old for me.

The firefighters all hang out at this pub that's attached to the fire station. It's pretty cool. You can use the pizza oven to cook your own meal.

I made a Forever Alone Calzone since I have no real friends in this town. The hot fireman's name is Alfred Alley. He made some lasagna.

Shirley McKenna was planning to make some lasagna of her own, but spotted Alfred's and just took some of his.

The firefighters seem pretty cool and get along with each other well. I might have to consider this as a career option.

As for the boys my age, the only one I really don't like is Nick Whiting. We got off to a bad start from the get-go.

The other boys would be okay, if they weren't so sensitive. I tried calling both Tony Whiting and Darryl Lopez out to the park one day to hang out. Both of them said they didn't feel like hanging out with me. My sister Ronda says it's because I'm so snotty to them, but I think they got wind that Dad got arrested for trying to steal something from the Art Barn and had to do some time.

This turn of events really took it's toll on Mom's mental health.

Dad said that when they arrested him, they confiscated his shoes, and never gave them back after releasing him. Mrs. Barclay who once dated a criminal, said it was pretty common for cops to do that because they didn't want cross-contamination with any future crime scenes which could lead to a false arrest. Apparently it was for Dad's own good.

Once Dad was released and returned home, things were awful! All the yelling and accusations! Me and Ronda just stayed in our room to avoid it.

"Honest, honey, my boss said that sculpture was bought and paid for, and I was just supposed to go pick it up, after hours, and not to turn on any lights. He said if the door was locked to break the lock, and he'd reimburse the owner in the morning because it was imperative that I take possession of the sculpture that night, so he could get it in the hands of the buyer by morning. I didn't know what I was doing was illegal.

"Would you listen to yourself? You honestly didn't detect any red flags regarding your boss' request? How stupid are you? . . . .

. . . You've disgraced this family! What about the kids? What about me? Did you even consider what kind of effect this could have on us and our own reputations? Dara says none of the kids at school want to hang out with her anymore! How am I supposed to find a market for my artwork if I'm married to an art thief?"

"I'm so sorry honey."

"So you think you can just say 'sorry' and we kiss and make up? What's wrong with you!?"

"I can't change what happened, Holli! I am sorry. We need to move past this."

"Keep your voice down. You'll wake the girls."

"I said cut it out! I can't stand the sight of you right now. Why don't you pack a bag and move in with your father. I need time to decide if I even want to be married to you anymore!"

We heard Dad pack, walk out, and shut the door. At least he's only across the street. We'll have to go check on him after school tomorrow.

Ronda crawled out of bed and went to Mom. "Are you and Daddy getting a divorce, Mom?"

"I don't know honey, but our feelings for each other have nothing to do with you or Dara. We both love you girls very much, and I don't want you to feel like you need to pick sides. How about a bedtime story? Would that make you feel better?"

"And the important thing to remember about making waffles is to not use too much salt!"

"What a fascinating story, Mom. Good choice."

The next day, me and Ronda went to check on Dad. He seemed a little sad, but said things would be okay. He said Grandpa was planning on marrying Ms. Josie and was leaving the house to him, so he'd fix up the spare room for us if we wanted to sleep over sometimes.

Not long after Dad moved in to Grandpa's house, Grandpa died. We went to the cemetery to say our goodbyes.

Dad was really upset. The rest of us didn't really know Grandpa Ben very well. Ronda spent the most time with him, I guess.

She thinks Grandpa left us some money for our college funds. Me and Ronda headed home to give Mom and Dad some alone time.

I guess it was a good thing we did leave early. On the way home, Dad apologized (again) for getting involved in criminal activity, and Mom apologized for fighting about it.

They joked about how rich they could become if they decided to become a crime family.

"Yeah, we could teach the kids how to pick locks and use them for mules to smuggle goods. No one would suspect them."

"I was only kidding! You know that, right?"

"Of course, honey. I'll quit that job right away. I'm going to need some time to get Dad's estate in order anyway. Then I'll look for another job, okay?"

"Did Ben leave you a big inheritance?"

"Dad really didn't have that much money. I mostly gained the house and everything on the property. I'm thinking of having an estate sale to see if I can sell off a lot of his stuff. Then I'll make the place my own. Or OUR OWN, if you are willing to give me another chance."

"I noticed there was a sculpting station in the basement. I think it was Uncle Chuck's at one time. You could set up your own little art studio there if you wanted. . . .

. . . You are such a talented artist. It would be great for you to have your own studio."

It looks like Mom and Dad are getting back together again. But first Dad wants to have the estate sale before we move over to the house. He plans on doing a little remodeling with the money he gets, so me and Ronda can have our own rooms! It's about time!

**** Note from the Overlord: I was truly surprised these two got back together. Holli had to option to divorce him, but I delayed it to see if they would choose to do it on their own. Instead they chose to mend their relationship. It's a first for me. ****

Dad got himself a temporary seller's license and put nearly everything in and around the house for sale. He ran the sale for three days. He sold some stuff, but not a lot. The neighbors came over and looked around, bought a few items, but mostly stood around and chatted with each other, watched squirrels (which Dad quickly caught and sold, hoping the neighbors would spend more time browsing and buying.) While he didn't sell as much as he hoped, he got his leaves raked for free. 😏

Clancy Mahon was pretty aggressive trying to haggle with Dad, but Dad stood his ground.

Tess Dexter thought he should be serving sandwiches. He patiently explained to her that this was an estate sale, not a restaurant.

Sheriff Rae came by to make sure he had all the legal permits for holding the sale. Dad was a little skittish after having his recent run-in with the law, but Sheriff Rae assured him that first-time offenders are not going to be hounded by the law. As long as Dad stays on the straight and narrow, he'll be treated the same as any other Sagehen citizen.

After the sale was over, Dad made good on his promise to give me and Ronda our own rooms.

We don't have a lot of personal touches yet, but that will come in time. Mom got her art studio.

So I told you about Mom and Dad and all that drama, so now I'll update you on Ronda. She's having better luck at making friends than I am. She and this kid Keith have bonded over having criminal parents I guess.