During the time it took for the Pringles' new home to be built Ana's youngest son, Brandon, had a birthday. So what is he planning to do with his time now that his days of high school are behind him?
He has always been a bit of a loner, and he never has liked the idea of working in an office full of people. The idea of working for himself, by himself is one he likes. After all his mom has never had a formal job, and she provides very well for the family.
Brandon isn't very artistic like his mother, so painting is out for him. He knows himself well enough to know not to attempt to be an author; he is bound to be distracted by something on the internet or a video game if he tries to sit in front of a computer screen and write.
While trying to decide what to do with his life, Brandon finds himself spending quite a lot of time fishing. It has been a favorite hobby of his ever since his big brother, Aaron, taught him how to bait his first hook all those years ago.
He feels at ease while fishing, because it gives him plenty of alone time (which is pretty much this loner's favorite thing in the world).
He has always been a bit of a loner, and he never has liked the idea of working in an office full of people. The idea of working for himself, by himself is one he likes. After all his mom has never had a formal job, and she provides very well for the family.
Brandon isn't very artistic like his mother, so painting is out for him. He knows himself well enough to know not to attempt to be an author; he is bound to be distracted by something on the internet or a video game if he tries to sit in front of a computer screen and write.
While trying to decide what to do with his life, Brandon finds himself spending quite a lot of time fishing. It has been a favorite hobby of his ever since his big brother, Aaron, taught him how to bait his first hook all those years ago.
He feels at ease while fishing, because it gives him plenty of alone time (which is pretty much this loner's favorite thing in the world).
And one day while fishing a rather obvious though occurs to him. I can make fishing my job.
But his brainwave doesn't end there. He decides to explore gardening and hunting for collectibles to increase the meager earnings he would get from fishing alone.
Brandon couldn't be happier with this plan. While he had never really considered himself and outdoorsy type of sim, he has found lately that he really prefers it to being cooped up inside. It's mainly the solitude that he feels while standing beneath the great big beautiful sky that appeals to him. He truly does enjoy the peace that being alone brings him.
He never imagined that his decision to purposefully spend most of his time by himself would result in him meeting his first real friend outside of his family.
But his brainwave doesn't end there. He decides to explore gardening and hunting for collectibles to increase the meager earnings he would get from fishing alone.
Brandon couldn't be happier with this plan. While he had never really considered himself and outdoorsy type of sim, he has found lately that he really prefers it to being cooped up inside. It's mainly the solitude that he feels while standing beneath the great big beautiful sky that appeals to him. He truly does enjoy the peace that being alone brings him.
He never imagined that his decision to purposefully spend most of his time by himself would result in him meeting his first real friend outside of his family.
Ana remembers being concerned about Brandon when he was little. It took her a while to understand that just because he spends a lot of time alone he isn't lonely.
Though she did finally understand, there has always been a small part of her that wished he had someone to confide in.
So one day when she spots Brandon in his small garden talking to someone it bring a smile to her face.
Though she did finally understand, there has always been a small part of her that wished he had someone to confide in.
So one day when she spots Brandon in his small garden talking to someone it bring a smile to her face.
The someone's name is Chad Hannon. Actually it is Chadwick, but not even his parents call him that. Why they even chose the name was beyond him.
Brandon had met Chad one day while fishing. The two become fast friends. This is a bit surprising considering Brandon's normally shy demeanor. But nevertheless the two men seem to be pretty tight. It becomes a routine for Chad to stop on his way home from work to chat with Brandon while he tends his garden.
Brandon had met Chad one day while fishing. The two become fast friends. This is a bit surprising considering Brandon's normally shy demeanor. But nevertheless the two men seem to be pretty tight. It becomes a routine for Chad to stop on his way home from work to chat with Brandon while he tends his garden.
They are opposites in many ways. Brandon is introverted and very private. Chad is outgoing and has never met a stranger. Not to mention appearances. We have very conservatively dressed Brandon on one hand and blue haired, tattooed Chad on the other.
I guess they bonded over the less obvious things they have in common. They have the same taste in games and TV. And they definitely have the same sense of humor.
I guess they bonded over the less obvious things they have in common. They have the same taste in games and TV. And they definitely have the same sense of humor.
And there was one more thing that Brandon was pretty sure they had in common. Only this was something that Brandon had never discussed with anyone. He didn't want make any assumptions about Chad either.
One day he finally worked up the nerve the ask the question for which he needed an answer. "Chad, can I ask you something?" Brandon begins, chickening out of asking the real question at the last second.
"Sure. You know me. I'm an open book."
Suddenly nervous and tongue-tied Brandon forgot how he had planned to ask the question. All the careful wording went out the window he just blurts it out. "Are you gay?"
Sure some people might have been more tactful and simply asked for a date, but Brandon is nervous and afraid of rejection.
One day he finally worked up the nerve the ask the question for which he needed an answer. "Chad, can I ask you something?" Brandon begins, chickening out of asking the real question at the last second.
"Sure. You know me. I'm an open book."
Suddenly nervous and tongue-tied Brandon forgot how he had planned to ask the question. All the careful wording went out the window he just blurts it out. "Are you gay?"
Sure some people might have been more tactful and simply asked for a date, but Brandon is nervous and afraid of rejection.
"Who me?!" Chad says with mock incredulity. Then more seriously, "You know, I thought it was obvious, or I would have been more direct. It doesn't bother you does it?" Suddenly Chad feels a bit insecure or maybe just afraid of losing a friend.
"No." Brandon is quick to say. "I actually asked, because I was hoping you would want to go out sometime."
Chad is very pleased. He had romantic feelings for Brandon, but wasn't sure if Brandon felt the same. His quiet friend had never dropped any hints that he thought of him as more than a friend before today.
They decided to meet for dinner that night. After dinner they took a walk to the local garden.
"No." Brandon is quick to say. "I actually asked, because I was hoping you would want to go out sometime."
Chad is very pleased. He had romantic feelings for Brandon, but wasn't sure if Brandon felt the same. His quiet friend had never dropped any hints that he thought of him as more than a friend before today.
They decided to meet for dinner that night. After dinner they took a walk to the local garden.
The walk leads to some tentative hand holding.
Chad instinctively knows to let Brandon choose how fast or slow they take things.
Chad instinctively knows to let Brandon choose how fast or slow they take things.
Shy Brandon surprises Chad and even himself with a kiss goodbye at the end of the date.
And Chad won't let Brandon say goodnight without documenting their first date with a selfie.
They continue dating over the next few weeks, and eventually Brandon begins to think about introducing Chad to his family. He isn't exactly worried about their reaction, but Brandon hasn't come out yet. And he isn't quite sure how do it.
They continue dating over the next few weeks, and eventually Brandon begins to think about introducing Chad to his family. He isn't exactly worried about their reaction, but Brandon hasn't come out yet. And he isn't quite sure how do it.
Little does he know that their little spot in the garden, where Chad continues to stop by every day, is not as well hidden as they thought.
Now Ana did not purposely try to spy, but the window with the view to the garden is right beside her easel. She just happened to see a private moment. Quickly she moved to another room so she wouldn't encroach on their privacy.
Now Ana did not purposely try to spy, but the window with the view to the garden is right beside her easel. She just happened to see a private moment. Quickly she moved to another room so she wouldn't encroach on their privacy.
It was weeks later when Brandon finally invites Chad over to introduce him to his mom.
Ana has a hard time keeping a straight face. She's happy that her son is finally going to share this with her, but she's also slightly amused at the announcement since she already knows.
"Chad, this is my mother, Ana. Mom, this is..." Brandon doesn't trail off, but is interrupted.
Ana has a hard time keeping a straight face. She's happy that her son is finally going to share this with her, but she's also slightly amused at the announcement since she already knows.
"Chad, this is my mother, Ana. Mom, this is..." Brandon doesn't trail off, but is interrupted.
"Nice to meet you, Chad. So, how long have you two been dating?" Ana asks casually.
Chad and Brandon both look at her with slightly bemused looks on their faces. "How did you know?" Brandon asks.
"What? I mother knows these things." But Brandon doesn't buy it. "Okay, okay. I accidentally say you in the garden one day."
"What? I mother knows these things." But Brandon doesn't buy it. "Okay, okay. I accidentally say you in the garden one day."
"Mom?!" Brandon looks a little embarrassed.
"I just saw you hugging, that's all." Ana quickly adds.
"I just saw you hugging, that's all." Ana quickly adds.
"I hope you weren't worried about how I would react. Son, if you're happy, I'm happy for you. Now come here and let me give you a hug."