GEN II: Chapter 1

It's early morning at the Fullers' home and they are celebrating a birthday. Little Crystal is growing into child hood. She has learned everything she can from toddler hood, and it's time to grow up. The family gathers in the kitchen for her to blow out her candles. Her daddy gets the honor of holding her for the wish.

1...2...3... blow out those candles Crystal!

Chase sets his angel daughter down to do her growing.

Just Crystal and Alan get a piece of cake, everyone else had to leave for work or school. It was that time. While they were enjoying pure sugar for breakfast Alan wished her a happy birthday. "I have a special surprise for you just from me, honey." He said to her "We'll see it when you are done."
"Oooo Grampa, what is it?!" Crystal asked excitedly.

"Well if I tell you now it won't be a surprise now will it?" Grampa Alan joked. "You'll have to see your bedroom before I give you my gift."

They both finished up their cake and Alan showed Crystal her new bed. She loved it, but wanted to know what her Grampa wanted to give her.
Pretty soon Alan stepped outside and told her to come get in the car, they had to go somewhere. She did as she was asked, still curious.

They drove for about five minutes before Alan stopped the car on the side of the road. With a quick "Follow me" to his granddaughter he jumped out of the car and ran into the woods. Crystal smiled and followed him as quickly as she could. The further they went into the trees the more interested Crystal became as to where they were headed. Finally she saw Grampa Alan again and smiled as she approached him.

"I love it!" She exclaimed. "I just love it."

Crystal had become quite a fan of fishing, although she had never been. As a toddler, she loved to watch the fishing channel and her favorite picture was of someone fishing at a lake. Since she had seen so much fishing stuff when she was little, now as a child she feels like quite an angler.

They had arrived at a small lake buried deep in the woods, it seemed like it was forgotten. Maybe nobody knew about this place. There were two fishing poles waiting there for her and her grandfather.
"I figured you'd like it" Alan said "I know your into fishing."
The two of them got the bait on the line and casted. It was so peaceful here, so quiet. Crystal was glad to spend time with just her and her Grampa. Pretty soon she caught her first fish. It was just a minnow, but to Crystal it was a great joy to even catch that.



After a few minutes, Crystal looked at Alan and said "Thank you so much for bringing me here, it's so lovely. The best birthday gift ever!" Alan smiled and told her that it was his pleasure, and he was glad she was enjoying herself. They continued to fish well into the afternoon catching bigger and bigger fish each time.


..Meanwhile..

Hayden and Damien had caught the bus. When the pulled up the school, Hayden ran inside right away. Damien took his time, and walked. Then he decided he didn't want to go to school today. It just did not appeal to him. When the bus pulled away he ran off.

"Spending the day at the pool is better than school any day of the week!" Damien thought to himself as he ran to the public pool.
There was only one other person there, and he was happy about that. He still was not fond of big crowds.












Quickly he changed into his swimming trunks and got into the pool. The water felt great. He swam a few laps, and just floated for a while. Damien sighed a big sigh and said aloud "This is great."
The woman swimming with him couldn't help but hear, "Yeah it is isn't it?" she said, "Sometimes you just have to get away from real life don't you?" The woman had a certain tone to her voice that made Damien look at her. She was smiling but Damien could tell that she knew he should be at school. She introduced herself as Chase. Damien was a little shocked to find a woman named the same as his half-brother, but took it as a popular name. Lady Chase and Damien splashed each other and swam together, they even had a contest of who could hold their breath longer. She won.

Since he was only just across the street, when the bus pulled up to take the children home, he got right on it. Hayden didn't even realize that his brother had not attended school with him.












When Hayden got home from school, and Damien got home from cutting, they went in to have some lunch. Hayden was nice enough to bring Crystals homework home with him, because she did not attend her first day of school. She got started on that right away. After eating, Damien went up to his room to paint, and everyone else got into the living room to watch a little TV. Chase noticed that there was not enough seating for everyone and vowed to remedy that. At the moment there are not enough funds to buy a new couch, so that will have to wait.

Right now, it is time for another birthday. The family gathers outside to celebrate.

Hayden is entering his young adult stage. He has graduated high school today and is ready to move onward and hopefully upward. He laughed when someone said "Make a wish!" because he considered himself too old for that nonsense.

But he made one anyway.











He blew out his candles quickly, then grew.. just a little bit. He didn't feel much different, just now he didn't have to go to school. That was a relief. The first thing he did was tossed out his old homework folder and then went to change his hairstyle. Hayden knew from last time, that his mother didn't like this look, and he wasn't to fond of it either.

Hayden will get on with his new life tomorrow. For today he, just like everyone else, is sleepy. So it is time for bed.

Most everyone gets ready for bed at about the same time. Alan stayed to clean up after the party, as well as Hayden's friend from school who also attended.



She helped do the dishes while Alan collected and took out all of the trash. Alan said goodbye to her, then put the fish that he and Crystal had caught into the fridge for keeping. Maybe they would make some sushi for dinner one day. As for this busy day, it is over.

Hayden wonders what tomorrow may bring, not having to go to school and not having any other demands on him. He may go look for a job, or may not.