meowleemoon

[meowleemoon]

15

| Valentine’s Day |

20 years ago, Brindleton Bay Elementary School

Maya walks down the school corridor and sees Duncan, her classmate looking sheepish. She always thought he was kinda cute. Even though they were neighbors, they hardly talked to each other as he was always so shy, refusing to look at her in the eye whenever they run into each other.

[Duncan] Hi Maya... erm... can I talk to you for a second? [Mia] Hi Duncan! Sure!

[Duncan] Happy Valentines’ Day, Maya! ( passes her an envelope decorated with roughly drawn hearts)

[Maya] Thank you Duncan... ( heart beating fast)

Maya leans in close to Duncan and plants a kiss on his cheek

Duncan doesn’t move nor flinch. He turns his face and their lips meet.

Maya blushes. Duncan continues to look at her lips... [Mia] (shyly, unable to believe her audacity) See you tomorrow, Duncan! [Duncan] See you...

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Special thanks to @onxysims for the poses 

[meowleemoon]

14

| Is that you? (1) |

Mia follows Duncan from a distance. She asked Rahmi earlier who Thomas was talking to at the bar and Rahmi removed all doubts when she said his name, Duncan Aldridge, even though Thomas calls him his “Dunnie”. [Mia} He looks thoroughly hammered... is he going to make it home? ( A look of concern takes over her curious expression) She was taken aback when Rahmi remarked about him moving just a few months after her and that he was recently widowered. Sounds of heavy dragging of feet on the cobblestone pavement, the low growl of the water wheel alongside the road... Duncan coughing and murmuring to himself. He struggles to walk a few steps , unable to balance himself, he drops his bottle of whisky and proceeds to topple down. ( running footsteps) [Mia] Hey...hey!... Are you alright? ( she lowers her head to his face and hears him breathing and muttering) Thank God you are alive!

She uses all her strength to flip him over

[Mia] Duncan! Duncan! Wake up! Come on! (Mia’s thoughts) It is really him... I can’t believe I’m touching his face, I’m touching him. He is in front of me!

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Special thanks to @akuiyumi for the pose

[meowleemoon]

13

| The Gnome’s Arms (2) |

In the corner of the pub, a jukebox haloed in neon light plays the Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes For You”, while the mounted TV from which a weatherman is shouting about record breaking heat. (Mia’s thoughts)  With his back to me, he sits at the bar with Thomas drinking and talking. Dark-haired with broad shoulders. He has a stillness that makes him stick out. Actually everything about him screams he doesn’t belong here. I think I know exactly who he is. Unable to look away, I’m locked in anticipation of the moment he turns and I can see what nearly twenty years have done to him.

(Mia’s thoughts)  It’s strange enough to see him from the back, and I’m watching him with such intensity that for a second, I convince myself that it’s not him after all.

Maybe it could be anyone - and after two decades apart, how well do I really know his body anyway? But then he turns, and I feel all the air get sucked out of the room. It’s as if I’ve been punched in the solar plexus, my diaphragm momentarily paralyzed.

[Mia] Duncan...?

[Rahmi] Then Imran fell face first into the mud! Hahaha. Mia...? [Mia] (blinks to her) Sorry. I. Sorry. The... what? [Rahmi] I was just babbling about Imran. I’m more interested in what's got you so... ( she turns to follow where Mia’s been looking)

[Rahmi] Mia? ( she reaches out grabbing her forearm) [Rahmi] Honey! You okay? (Mia swallows and closes her eyes to break her own trance) [Mia] Yeah... (but her gaze is drawn back over her shoulders again)

[Mia] That guy over there... with Thomas...who’s that?

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Special thanks to @sim-plyreality @starrysimsie for the poses CC credit: @aroundthesims @ts4novvvas

[meowleemoon]

13

| The Gnome’s Arms (1) |

Later in the evening, at The Gnome’s Arms pub... (sounds of people chatting away, clinking glasses, music from the jukebox) [Thomas] Dunnie! How’s my man? I haven’t seen you here for a bit. Thought you may have quit drinking for good (titters) [Duncan] Hey Thomas... ( slurring a little) [Thomas] I’m here with Rahmi and her friend, Mia. I don’t think you have met her. She moved here a couple of months earlier than you, I think... Come join us! [Thomas] Hey Buddy...you feeling ok? [Duncan] All is good, Thomas... all is good... just feeling the blues brother... [Duncan] I thought I saw my wife today... I’m seeing things Thomas...I thought I was getting better. [Thomas] I don’t know much about dealing with grief but I remembered reading somewhere that it is perfectly normal to experience bereavement hallucination. You need to come out once in a while to meet people. [Thomas] You know... I’m glad that you opened up to me even though we have not known each other for long. Just know that if you ever need a listening ear or a drinking buddy, just give me a ring! Shingo did ask me to keep you out of trouble ( chortles) [Thomas] By the way Dunnie, when are you coming over to help me again as a farmhand? It has been almost six months! Nothing a little sun and the toiling of the land to rejuvenate you haha... And we have to talk about your plans in saving my business! There is so much to do! (winks) [Duncan](stands up and tries to walk) Yeahhh (slurring) we should do that...too many... too many things to do... [Thomas] Dunnie! You are as drunk as a skunk! [Thomas] Hey! In all seriousness, let me take you home. You can’t even stand straight! [Duncan] Nah...nah... no worries...I’m all right... (hiccup)

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special thanks to @sim-plyreality for the poses cc credit: @aroundthesims for beer bottles   @starrysimsie for deco sims

[meowleemoon]

12

| Sight-seeing (2) |

Camera shutter sounds. Baron yelping a series of high pitched yips and yaps. [Mia] Helloooooo... you are such a cutie aren’t you... [Duncan] Am I hallucinating? [Duncan] She... she... looks like... [Duncan] This is bad... I’m seeing things... I better go... but... (heart beating fast, he quickly walks the opposite direction)

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Special thanks to @threethousandplumbobs for the poses and camera accessory 

[meowleemoon]

12

| Sight-seeing (1) |

[Duncan] The pictures are turning out well. [Duncan] How is this place so beautiful? Takes a look around while aiming the camera at several places [Duncan] That's a nice angle... [Duncan] Just needs a little more adjustment (Baron runs off excitedly)

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special thanks to @threethousandplumbobs for the poses and camera accessory

[meowleemoon]

11

| Passing time | It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ But I believe the wounds remain. In time, the mind protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens.

But it is never gone.

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Special thanks for the poses from @katverse  and the beautiful lot from @starrysimsie : Serene Lake 😍

[meowleemoon]

10

| Settling in |

Duncan spends his first week fixing up his new house. Time moves slowly but passes quickly... he settles in and made some new friends. He is slowly learning to accept his grief... His waves of sadness, emptiness, guilt and regret gradually lessens. He knows he is not alone. (television noises) (Baron climbs onto the sofa...Duncan has to sit up to make room for him.) [Duncan] You are a cutie-pie aren’t you? scratches belly... ( Baron gives a low-pitch moan) But no one gives gives Duncan more comfort than Baron.

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cc credits @aroundthesims 

[meowleemoon]

9

| The Move (cont.) |

Baron gives Duncan comfort and some sense of stability You can say Baron may have saved Duncan’s life... When he found no reason to continue living...

While unpacking, he sees a photo of Isla... A tinge of sadness suddenly overcomes him... a numbing ache that clings tenaciously... [Duncan] It’s on my mind. Always in my headspace. But I know someday I’ll make it out of here.

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special thanks to @simmerberlin @simsgami @ts4-poses for the poses

cc credits @aroundthesims @ts4novvvas @syboubou 

[meowleemoon]

9

|The Move |

Moving day... (sounds of shuffling boxes and hurried footsteps...) Duncan directing the movers [Duncan] (Thinking to himself) I can feel a new start...

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cc credits @aroundthesims @reigningsims 

[meowleemoon]

8

| Baron |

Everyone has left the funeral parlor

A dog approaches Duncan slowly...

The dog softly whimpers looking down...

Going closer, he starts to nuzzle...as if comforting him...

[Duncan] Hello there...

[Duncan] Do you belong to someone? [Dog] Barks twice* (Duncan looks for a collar) [Duncan]  Want to go home with me? [Dog] Barks once* and starts licking Duncan’s face (Duncan laughs. His first laughter in days)

[Duncan] Let’s go home... Baron. Your name is Baron.

Song: I want you close by The Coast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vCVn-zxECc

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special thanks to @sim-plyreality for these poses.

cc credits: @aroundthesims 

[meowleemoon]

7

| The Decision (cont.) |

[Shingo] Talk to me Duncan. Are you okay? (Duncan continues to stare into space while puffing on his cigarette) (As if awakening from a trance) [Duncan] I have decided. I need to get out of here. I’m going to be moving to the country-side. Henford-on-Bagley. [Shingo] I don’t know if it is a good idea. You, alone in the country. [Duncan] It is not a rash decision... I just can't be here right now. (passes the cigarette to Shingo) [Duncan] I will finish up what I have to do here. It will probably take some time. (They sat there smoking in silence)

[Duncan] I know you are worried. But I can take care of myself. Trust me Shingo. [Shingo] Maybe, it is for the best. I will help to look into the real estate in Henford. You can count on me. [Duncan] Thank you Shingo... I’m so lucky to have you. [Shingo] It will get better... not now but one day.

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special thanks to @simmerberlin for the pose

[meowleemoon]

7

|The Decision|

After the burial... [Shingo] How are you holding up, Duncan? I’m worried about you. You look very different from yesterday when we met. You look almost too calm. The night before at the bar... [Duncan] Shingo... I don’t have the will to live without her. [Shingo] I know it’s hard...It’s very hard...I can't imagine how you feel , Duncan. Come and stay with me for a while, you can’t be left alone. You are my best friend. [Duncan] No I can’t...I can’t... I don’t know...  (mumbles to himself) we are burying her tomorrow...burying her...tomorrow...

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Special thanks to @natalia-auditore @simmerberlin @melonsloth for the poses. CC credit: @aroundthesims @pixelplayground @harrie-cc @felixandresims 

[meowleemoon]

6

|The last goodbye|

(church organ music...) [Pastor] May the angels lead you into paradise... [Pastor] May the martyrs come to welcome you... (sobbing sounds) [Pastor] And take you to the holy city... (Duncan : I feel so numb) [Duncan: hang on...just hang on....) silence The last goodbye kisses Isla’s cold lips for the last time.

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Special thanks to @melonsloth @thedevilliers for the poses  cc credits: @aroundthesims @thedevilliers @melonsloth 

[meowleemoon]

5 

|Despair|

Unable to  accept Isla’s death or face the emptiness of his home, Duncan tries to bury himself in work and wallows in his office drinking, refusing to do anything or meet anyone the next few days. Friends and family help to organize the upcoming funeral while Duncan sinks into depression.

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Many Thanks to the beautiful poses by  @quiddity-jones and @sciophobis

cc by @kerriganhouse  @aroundthesims @illogicalsims

[meowleemoon]

4

|Lose|

[paramedic] I’m sorry Mr. Aldridge but she has passed on.

[Duncan] No. This must be a mistake. It can’t be. (repeats in disbelief) No. This must be a mistake... It can’t be... (whispers) My love?.. wake up... [Duncan] You can’t leave me here all alone, Isla... No... Please....  Return to me Isla, return to me.

I don’t want to let you go.

song: I don’t want to let you go by Jordan Hart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwKVgTGtj5U

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[meowleemoon]

3

|Breathe|

[Duncan] Mom, Isla has been in an accident. I’m at the Spice Market, outside Old Salt House. I will call you again to let you know which hospital we will be at... ( voice cracking) [Duncan] Yes yes. I’m alright. Please help me to inform everyone else.

[Duncan] I can’t breathe...God...help me to breathe... (sounds of police radio chatter and muffled ambulance siren sounds) (whimpers... teardrops running down his face) [Paramedic voice from afar] Hurry! She has flatlined! Bring the defibrillator!

(The world grows silent...)

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