Generation 1, Chapter 22

 

Peter consulted with his divorce lawyer after he had accumulated his evidence. He was hoping  he had enough, he wasn't sure he wanted to know anymore about Vallari's exploits. His heart ached too much, the only relief he had was when he was with the children or working in his garden.

He spent every free moment in the garden while the children were away at school and before Vallari left for work, which was at 2:00 everyday. So until the kids came home Peters only company were the numerous gnomes that inhabited the garden. He named them all Pinky 1 through 4, the next one that shows up will be Pinky 5. On Pinky 2 he performed a science experiment and now Pinky 2 glows and everyone coming near gets the inspired moodlet. Peter is considering performing an experiment on the other Pinkys once he isn't distracted by the divorce.

It was good to keep his hands busy; although his mind was always worrying about how the divorce would effect the kids. He hoped it would be better to be raised by one loving parent than by two parents that were always fighting with each other. He didn't even want to contemplate what would happen if Vallari got custody of the children. He was afraid life wouldn't be worth living if that happened.

One night Optimus Even went out into the garden and vented his rage onto the crystal plant that Peter had planted. Sometimes Optimus Even thought it would have been better to not have the emotions chip installed, then he wouldn't know how awful things were in the house. He didn't like keeping things from Peter but he didn't want to make things worse either. So instead of confronting Vallari or confiding in Peter he vented his feelings to an uncaring crystal plant. He wasn't sure if it made him feel any better but it did help him come to a decision. He decided it was time for him and Crash to move out. That way neither one could be used by Vallari for or against Peter.

Adam happened to see Optimus Even talking to the crystal plant, so he waited until Optimus was done and did his own venting. He was tired of being treated like a pawn in his parents divorce. Not that his Dad was making any demands on him but Vallari was. Always asking who he wanted to live with her or his Dad. He didn't want to be mean but if he had to choose, it would be with his Dad. He just didn't want to be pressured or made to feel bad for choosing his Dad. He just wanted the divorce to be done and he could start to look forward to becoming a teenager without Vallari there to spoil it.

Doloris and Corina were spending a lot of time outside, trying to stay out of the way. They figured that was the best thing they could do, considering the tension that seemed to be growing in the house.

Corina being a good, reserved little girl felt bad for mommy and daddy. She didn't understand why they didn't like each other. She wasn't sure what a divorce meant but she knew it must be bad since everyone was so upset.

Doloris on the other hand wasn't so niave or nice. She wanted the divorce to be done and she didn't much care what would happen to her mother. She just wanted her to be gone so that she wouldn't have to do ballet anymore and any of the half dozen other things that Vallari insisted on that made no sense, like not eating pancakes. Although Crash no longer made pancakes so that wasn't a problem anymore.

Doloris and Brian spent a quiet evening watching TV with Vallari one night. They weren't to sure what was up as Vallari seldom wanted to do anything with them other than to tell them what they were doing wrong. It just wasn't any fun. They spent most of the time just sitting there, giving Vallari sideway glances to make sure she wasn't becoming upset and about to explode. They went to bed without any complaints or requests for bed time stories. Being constantly on your guard is exhausting.

Doloris and Brian spent a lot of time together, playing chess and discussing art. Sometimes they talked about the divorce but mostly they wondered what they could do to help their Dad get Vallari out of the house.

"Do you ever wonder what it will be like once Mom leaves?"

Brian thinking for a moment said "We'll finally have peace and quiet. I've forgotten what silence sounds like."

Doloris laughed "yeah it's not something that happens around here. Wonder what it'd be like, quiet. Might be boring."

"Nah it'll be wonderful. Do you ever worry that we'll have to live with Mom and that he'll be the one to leave?"

"That won't happen." Doloris said firmly.

"But what if it does?" fretted Brian.

"Then we'll have to make sure it won't. All of us kids will have to stand together for what we want." They went on making plans to make sure they stayed with their Dad.