Generation 1, Chapter 43

Peter restrained himself from getting involved with the discipline that Jean handed out to both Windy and Adam. Not that he didn't care or agree with how she handled things but Peter knew he wouldn't have been able to stick with it, his heart would have melted at the first plea in fear that he was being unreasonable. He had vivid memories of countless times he had felt his parents had been unjust, too strict and rigid. The rules he had to follow made him feel like he had been in prison and he had wanted to break free, rebel, anything to be able to breath. Instead he had become repressed and compliant, molding himself into what he thought they wanted, a perfect son. It all came crumbling down the night of the explosion that destroyed his fathers research.

Peter still remembered the anger his father had unleashed, making him wish he had perished in the explosion along with the irreplaceable research. Although Peter and his father had long since made up, Peter still carried the guilt around with him and he never wanted to inflict that kind of emotional trauma on his children. In his attempt to avoid doing so, he realized he had become too easy going and permissive. He also realized he may have been overcompensating for Vallari's lack of affection and harshness. Peter wondered if this could have contributed to the problems they were experiencing with Windy and through her, Adam. Should he have been more strict? Would he have gained Windy's respect? Now he was faced with the decision of sending her away to boarding school. Peter knew Jean was tired of dealing with Windy and her total disregard for everyone else. Jean had voiced her concern that Windy's attitude was rubbing off on the other kids. Still Peter was concerned how it would effect Adam, sending Windy away, someone he had known all his life. Would it be beneficial to separate them, to force them to become individuals instead of thinking of themselves as a unit?

Peter had all these thoughts running through his head as he worked along side Brian on his antique car. He felt guilty that he was preoccupied with concerns of Adam and Windy when he should be enjoying this time with Brian.

"Brian do you remember when you were little you had an imaginary friend?"

"Sure I remember Pat. At the time she was my best friend. But I have to admit I liked her mostly because it annoyed Vallari so much." Brian responded laughing at the memory of Vallari stomping her feet and demanding he quit playing with the air.

"Did you ever want to make her real?" Peter wondered.

"I thought about it; especially when Adam offered to give me the potion but I don't know, it lost some of it's appeal after Adam made Windy real." Brian shrugged adding "I guess I'm kind of scared that Pat would turn out the same as Windy. So I didn't take the chance. Why?"

"I don't know. I just wondered whatever became of her. You used to talk about her all the time." Peter responded evading the real reason, not willing to admit he was glad that Brian hadn't made Pat real or that Windy was such a handful that he wished Adam had used better sense before he made her real.

"You know Dad, I still wonder what Pat would be like if she were real. Do you think I could have the potion? Maybe one day I'll make her real." Brian looked up from the engine towards his Dad. Then added as he saw the look of dismay that Peter gave him. "Don't worry Dad, I don't plan on doing it any time soon. I may never do it but I'd like the option to be able to. Besides Windy is enough for any house. If I decide to do it, it will be when I'm older and on my own."

"Alright son, I'll give you the potion. Just promise me you'll think long and hard about this before you do it. I'd hate to see you regret your decision if she turns out to be someone you don't like." Peter said in concern secretly hoping that Brian would never take that step.

After considering his fathers agreement, Brian smiled and went to sit behind the wheel of his car. Peter followed and sat beside him. "Thanks Dad for understanding and allowing me to make my own decision. I really do appreciate it. I know that your worried that it'll turn out bad but Pat isn't Windy and I'm not Adam. It'll be different I'm sure of it. Not to change the subject or anything but when do you think this car will be ready for a test drive?"

Corina and Doloris were eagerly anticipating becoming teenagers. They knew there was a party planned; although they each acted as it they didn't know anything about it. They knew how much their Dad enjoyed planning their parties, they just hoped it wouldn't be lame. They have confidence in their Dad but not so much in Jean. Sometimes she was just too sweet. Doloris often said she must be from Planet Sweet Stuff because she seemed to ooze sweetness. Not to say that was a bad thing but it did cause them worry that there birthday party would be more suitable for a toddler instead of two soon to be teenagers.

'Young and in Charge' is how Corina liked to describe herself. She was ready to put aside her good girl reputation and have some fun. She had spent enough time in the background and it was time for her to take center stage. She had observed how Windy always got noticed and she wanted to be like that. She didn't want to be the 'good twin' anymore. She had no desire to be the little mouse that did as she was told.  

 

Their birthday was a success only marred by the presence of Vallari and Windy conversing together. Once again Windy succeeded getting Vallari admitted inside the house. Although this time Vallari was much subdued and kept to herself, maybe it was her recent birthday becoming an elder with no one there to see her through it. Maybe she was depressed that she was old and everyone knew it by looking at her and all her scheming couldn't prevent it.

Doloris didn't much care why Vallari was quiet, she just wished she'd disappear. But she was determined not to let it ruin her night. She had realized she didn't want to become like Vallari, having people walking on egg shells around you, waiting for you to explode. she wanted respect but felt that this could be accomplished without inflicting fear. Doloris knew it was going to be difficult, she had inherited her mean spiritedness from Vallari but that didn't mean she had to let it rule her life. She had found a role model she wanted to imitate. Although she often poked fun at how sweet Jean was, she knew she wanted some of that sweetness to rub off on her. She envied how Jean had the ability to put people at ease and could empathize with them. Doloris felt she no longer needed to maintain her tough exterior to keep people at a distance so they wouldn't be able to hurt her. Not that she wanted to be seen as weak either. She wanted to be a self-reliant, independent woman who could take care of herself and along the way find her soul mate.