Soooo … I let Dub chop off my hair. Yeah. Crazy. He opened a new business and invited me to the grand opening. It’s such a cool and unique idea. He calls it Wade’s Man Cave, and it’s a place where men can come for a haircut and a little pampering. But for those who aren’t down for that, there’s a bar, games, and a TV. I never considered the world needed a place like that, but being there, soaking in all that testosterone in one place, my new question is why has no one done this before? My feelings of pride were strong. He bounced back in a big way; I wouldn’t be ready for such a huge undertaking so soon after getting divorced. There lies the point where my feelings moved into conflict. I tried to stay present, letting my happiness for him shine through, but my heart breaks for them. I just knew everything was going to work out. Just last week, they started counseling, but now it’s over. I hate this for him. The sad part is, I can’t tell if he’s healing or just masking. When I got home, Sophia ran up to me as soon as I crossed the threshold, like she was trying to prevent me from going any further. She started to tell me something but was stunned by my shaved head.
“It’s-it’s GONE,” she shouted. “What did you do??”
“Wade runs a barbershop now, so … Is this a good shock or a bad shock?”
“I—I don’t know! It’s kinda hot, but… I’m just…shocked! I never thought you would do it!”
“I know. It was easier to let go than I thought.”
I’m very much attached to my hair, but there’s a little someone who loved it even more. Every time I leaned in for a kiss, yank. Bath time? Double yank. Nap time? Sleepy yank. Those tiny blue fingers were vice grips around my fragile strands. I had to let it go for my own safety, heh. Besides, maybe being nearly bald will make us look more alike. Probably not.
“Can I come in now?”
“Oh! Uh, no, not yet. I just need to warn you,” she blurted nervously. “Logan is in his disguise. Just act normal and don’t freak out.”
“Disguise? W-why?”
“He also has a surprise for you!”
She let me step into the house and led me to the kitchen, where a baby she said was Logan sat and played with the toys on the mat. I watched him from a distance for a moment, unsure about this disguise thing but also feeling silly about being wary of this baby because I knew he’s my son.
“Hey, buddy! You’re sitting up! What a nice surprise!”
And just like that, I passed down my own nickname given to me by my dear, beautiful mother. He stopped playing with the toys and rewarded me with a very familiar gummy smile.
I picked him up and sat with Sophia on the couch, eager for answers.
“So…is there a reason for this?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I don’t know the full story because I wasn’t there, but one of Desi’s friends came by. I assume she tried to introduce him to her, but he was not having it. I had never heard him scream like that before, so I ran upstairs to see what happened.”
“Was he okay?? Did the girl drop him or something??”
“No, no, nothing like that. When I walked in, the girl had him, and he was already disguised. I guess he was just spooked. Kinda like how Desi cried when she met Maira for the first time.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“So the disguise makes him feel safe, then?” I asked.
“I guess so. It was also nap time, so he could have just been cranky and not ready to meet anyone.” She shrugged and continued. “I took him and rocked him to sleep, reminding him he is safe. I said, if wearing the disguise made him feel better, he could wear it as long as he needed to.”
I’m glad she was able to reassure him, but I was so used to his cute little blue self. And learning he actually looks like me made me even more attached to his true self. His disguise allows him to blend in with our family, but I don’t know that kid. Hopefully he’ll be comfortable enough again to shed this suit and be Logan again soon.
“There’s one more thing,” Sophia said giddily.
“What now?“
“Desi’s got a prom date!”
“Whaaaaaaat?”
“It was so cute! She said they’d been dancing around each other for a while but never spoke. He always seemed to be scared or uncomfortable around her. Her friend who was here is his sister, so she kinda goes between them. Anyway, today at lunch, just as he was about to dodge her again, she caught him and asked if he wanted to go with her!”
“Just like that?” I asked.
“Just like that!”
I love that she knows to go after what she wants and disregard what society says she should do. So many Sims go without and let dreams languish because of waiting for someone else to do what they are perfectly capable of doing themselves. I’m so proud of her!
“Can we meet him?” I asked.
“I’m sure that could be arranged.”
