Since becoming head of the the household, Heidi had seen her grades slip further and further down. Most of her time was used up with chores around the house, or caring for Leo. But her grades had gotten even worse since she met Nathan. Now that she was failing, she knew she would have to spend more time on her homework and less with her boyfriend.

It would have to wait until tomorrow, though, because today the shower needed fixing, and then there was the town meeting over at the Bronte’s house. Once Leo was home, he and Heidi walked to the meeting with their neighbors, Lie and Bilbo.

Everyone was still assembling and finding seats when they arrived. Heidi noticed one unfamiliar face in the group.

“Bilbo,” she whispered, “do you know who that man in the green shirt is? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Oh, that’s Lorenzo Bellagio,” Lie, Bilbo’s cousin answered after Bilbo shrugged. “He was the architect who designed the model homes.”

“As you all know,” Connor Bronte began, “our government support will end at the end of this season. That means, for starters, that we will be financially responsible for the community center. If we can’t pay the employees, we won’t have any. If we can’t pay for the expenses, it will close.

“Also, buses will continue to run for students as long as there are 10 students in need of them, but starting next seasons there will be a fee of 10 simoleans per family.”

“Because of the distance between Nevermore and the closest city, we haven’t been able to get any help from law enforcement for the petty crimes we’ve all been dealing with. However, Pleasantview has offered to subsidize the cost for one citizen to attend officer training at their academy. We’ll have to raise 50% of the fee.

“Does anyone have any suggestions or concerns they want to add?”

Bernard Kincaid cleared his throat. “I propose that we set up a council, with one member from each household, to meet and work out the details of where we go from here.”

There was a murmuring of agreement from the assembled town. Connor called for a vote, and it was agreed that each household would choose its own representative.

“I have an announcement,” Renee Kincaid spoke up as Connor began to call the meeting to a close. “Colin and I are getting married in the spring, and we’d like to invite everyone to come.”

The meeting broken up, Renee made a beeline for the architect. As Heidi passed, she heard Renee say, “Mr. Bellagio, I have some business to discuss with you.” She only had a moment to wonder what that business could be before she spotted Nathan and everything else left her mind.

A little while later, when Heidi went to collect Leo to go home, she found him watching Bernard and his daughter Winter. Heidi’s heart hurt, knowing how much Leo missed their dad. She couldn’t help but notice Bernard’s other daughter, Brianna, also watching the two with naked longing on her face.

At the trailer, Heidi was excited to show Leo the surprise she’d arranged for him. She had sold their double bed, replacing it with two twin beds.

“Ta da! How great is this? Now we don’t have to take turns sleeping on the bench.”

“Why’d you go and do a dumb thing like that?”

“Leo, what are you talking about? I thought you’d be happy!”

“You sold dad’s bed! What’s he going to think when he comes and he’s got nowhere to sleep?”

“Dad’s not here, Leo! Why should we worry about where he’s going to sleep? He’s not worrying about us!” Heidi exploded.

“I know what you’re doing!” Leo screamed. “You’re trying to get rid of dad! You want to be my parent but you’re not! You’re just my stinky sister and I hate you!”

While Leo slammed his way outside to look through this telescope – as usual – Heidi took a deep breath, held her hands together to keep them from shaking, and went to fix the leaky kitchen sink.