Day 18. Poor Prudence
As soon as the sun rose on her 18th day in Sunset Valley, Prudence began gardening. Her funds were starting to run low, and with another baby on the way she was getting a little worried. She consoled herself with dreams of pulling in a decent sum from the royalties that her book would accrue–once she actually finished it.
Between gardening, cleaning, and taking care of Arthur, Prudence didn’t have time to cook a meal for herself–she had to be content with a piece of bread and jam to tide her over.
She still managed to find time to work with Arthur on his walking–he fell down a lot, but since it was on his bottom he would just laugh. As difficult as her life was, she couldn’t regret Arthur’s existence. He was full of nothing but love for her, and she was so grateful for that.
She felt guilty though–she didn’t know whether she’d ever be able to give him the life he deserved. She’d managed to get a little extra money by selling her curtains to a consignment shop.
I like this better anyway–it’s much easier to see what’s going on outside, and it lets more light into the house…. Prudence assured herself.
With the extra money, she was able to finish the interior of the nursery with wallpaper and carpeting, as well as buy an extra crib for the new baby. She wasn’t crazy about the decor, but it was so much better to have the extra room. When she had the money, she planned to have some windows installed.
At 10:00 P.M., Prudence went into labor just as she was about to settle down to read a book.
OK….I just need to get to the hospital, and….
Suddenly, Prudence realized that she couldn’t go to the hospital. She couldn’t take Arthur with her, and she didn’t have the money for a babysitter. She had no significant other to stay with him or to hold him at the hospital.
She was alone, and she was going to have to have her baby at home, with no help. She nearly wept from fear at this realization.
That isn’t going to help, dummy…Prudence thought. OK, just…breathe.
After two hours of labor, Prudence finally felt the telltale signs of true progress–she waited breathlessly as her pains melted away, her body transformed, and her newest child was born.
At midnight, she held her new son, Benedict, in her arms for the first time.
Oh, how sweet! A name that means blessing! Prudence is determined to see the bright side, isn’t she? Go, Pruie!
DB: She will certainly try to look on the bright side, and she’ll need to….she just thought it was hectic before!
Aw, Prudence! I fear a lot more than the curtains will be sold. I hope she remains optimistic throughout the challenge
Nessva: It’s pretty tough when they don’t have jobs and they don’t have much time to go out collecting things. I’m hoping to find a solution soon!
Benedict! I love that name! He has a crib to sleep in, at least. I remember that wasn’t necessarily going to be a given for him, considering how tight things are for Prudence financially.
And a home birth – old school TS2 style! LOL. Home births take forever in TS3. It seems to go quicker when they go to the hospital but maybe I’m just imagining it.
Carla: I love the name too.
It calls to mind the character from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. When it’s between curtains or a crib…well…pretty easy decision I guess.
Births in general take forever in TS3! I don’t know if they are quicker in the hospital or not….I’ll have to compare it. This was the first time I thought to time it (every other time I forget and then have no idea how long it took, lol).
I felt so sorry for Prudie when shje realized she could not go to the hospital. Catherine said that home births go quicker when she blogged about the Decasims.
Congratulations and I love the name Benedict too!
Moondaisy: I felt sorry for her too…..I realized it early in the play session and it made me feel pretty guilty. If I would have waited a few days, Arthur would have been a child and she could have gone. Alas…hindsight is a always 20/20. Luckily, things get a bit more cheerful soon!