Residents: Lenny & Marisa Derico
Lenny: Hey, how you doin’? Things are pretty interesting here right now, let me tell you. I’m gettin’ on in years, so I figured ‘hey, why not retire?’ I mean, I still got a life goal to fulfill, yanno? So now I’m home all day, collectin’ pension, and reading all sorts of good books.
Everything was goin’ real great.
Me and Marisa spent our days working on our skills together. She was really going for the promotions at work now, there was nothin’ stopping her. She was hoping to be at the top of her company by the time the twins graduated.
Me? I was just happy to have some peace and quiet. I mean, I love my kids, don’t get me wrong… but I’ve had five now. Its time for old Lenny to relax and just enjoy life. It also helps that Marisa and I have lots of time to ourselves, which we’ve been makin’ good use of… if ya know what I mean. Heh. I may be old, but I still got it!
Which is why I didn’t really understand when she started gettin’ real cranky with me. Even worse, she kept avoiding me. I never saw her anymore. She’d sneak around the house and sometimes I’d hear her running to the bathroom. Normally I would have gone to check on her, but I was really getting into my studies. I’ve only got a few more things to master before I know all there is to know about everything. That’s big!
I never thought she was pregnant. I mean, we’re both too old for that, right? Apparently not.
I didn’t even know ’til she ran at me one day. She was showing and my already white hair turned a shade lighter in shock. Man, I really do still got it. Of course, if I had cracked that joke right then, she would’ve throttled me. So I just played it cool. Let her vent.
Speaking of which, why is it always the man’s fault? Its not like I did it on purpose. Why couldn’t it have been her fault? Always blaming the men. That just ain’t right.
Since Marisa was still mad at me, she wouldn’t let me do anything for her. She’s an awful cook when she’s pregnant and ended up starting a fire. Good thing we’ve got a fire alarm. Even after the fact she still wouldn’t budge. She just stuck her nose up in the air and waddled off.
Women…
The big day came and her water broke right in the middle of the living room. The only thing she said was “Oh no, not the carpet!” Sometimes I wonder about her.
When we got her to the hospital, she was a real witch. I’m surprised the doctor didn’t refuse to treat her. Though I can’t say I was happy with him, either. He gave us quite the eyeball and I heard him speaking to some of the nurses about how old we are and we’re havin’ babies. I mean, I don’t disagree, but it ain’t none of his business, yanno?
I’m ashamed to say it, but after we brought Loraine home, the nanny spent more time with her than either of us. I went back to my studies and Marisa just seemed to be lost. It was a good thing her work had mandatory days off for women who just gave birth. She would’ve probably gotten fired with the attitude she had.
Eventually I made her go see someone. Turns out she’s suffering from postpartum depression. What’s with my family and diseases? First Davina’s got that weird illness we never caught when she was small, now my wife is depressed! Maybe Brice has some sort of head sickness too. Maybe that’s why he’s such a dolt. Either way, things ain’t looking good. All the care of Loraine has fallen on me and our incapable nanny. I’ve had to forfeit my studies almost entirely.
I’m too old to be a dad, I’m nearly a grandpa! My youngest children will be graduating college soon. I just can’t believe this is happening. Six kids, man. I used to remember when I couldn’t believe I had three.
I’m goin’ out of my mind. It isn’t that I dislike Loraine, or that I blame her for the way things turned out. Its just, I’m old, ya see. I don’t have it like I used to. I feel like a single father again. At least Marisa has returned to work. Maybe that’ll help her through. She seems to be getting better, but I wonder if it’ll be enough. If she’ll ever truly forgive Loraine. Not that Loraine needs to be forgiven, but Marisa sees things differently than us normal people do.
I hope for Loraine’s sake that Marisa can pull through this. I mean, I’ll admit she isn’t the best mother when she’s normal… but right now, ya can’t even call her a mother. She’s just a woman who lives here.
My good little gal Sade. She’s so much like her mother in everyway. She stopped by, apparently news travels fast. She offered to move in and help us out with Loraine. While we could’ve used the help, I couldn’t do it. Sade had taken care of Serena and Damian… she’d already given up enough. Plus, I knew that she and Marisa didn’t get along real well… so it was really something, what she was offerin’ up. I told her no, it wasn’t necessary.
That didn’t stop her from comin’ by every so often. She really liked handling little Loraine. I often wonder if she’ll ever experience havin’ a kid of her own. I’ve never known her to have a boyfriend, much less date. She’s always been a little to reserved, a little too hard to reach.
Still, she’s always been more of a daughter than any father could ask for, dealin’ with everything she has.
Seeing her inspired me. I’m gonna do this right. Sure, I’m too old… and yeah, maybe I won’t be around to see her off to college… but I want her to be happy. I want her to be like her Davina, Sade, Serena, and Damian. When she remembers back, I want her to think ‘he may not have been the greatest, but wow, dad really did love me.’ Maybe it’ll help bring Marisa around, too. The girl is gonna need her mother more than anything. Time is not on my side.
Loraine Derico
Leo (5, 10, 2, 8, 4)
Of all the times for ‘Risky Woohoo’ to kick in…. :\