10.1 Genetics Run...

Nathan and Parker returned home from school. There was a stillness about the house the two hadn't noticed before. There was an unwritten schedule the house operated on. Brooke took care of mornings, Lauren took care of afternoons, and around 5:00 the family gathered for dinner.

"Mom," Parker called wandering from room to room. "Aunt Lauren," Nathan called behind him. After a thorough search of the house the boys discovered a short letter, written to Parker, with a clear message.

Parker found a place under the tree house. He wanted to be alone. It was one thing to wonder where your father was all your life. It was a second to have you mother leave you. Soon, Nathan would be leaving him for college and who knew when his grandmother would leave him permanetly. After ushering Nathan away from him, Parker began walking with no end in sight.

9.9

Brooke welcomed elderhood with open arms. Although she saw the ghost of Wilson less and less, she felt complete with Nathan by her side.

The two parents fell into sync with each other. Each day was almost as dull as the next. Soon Lauren aged into a full adult and everything hit her at once. She hated where her life was.
She hated her job. She hated her coworkers. She hated everything.
Some would call it a mid life crisis. Lauren called it bad luck. She tried countless things to better her life. A new car. New clothes. New job. Nothing seemed to fill the gap. Nothing made her happy.

Nathan and Parker grew up well. Both attended to by Brooke. Since even the sight of Parker made Lauren upset. She was once again unhappy in the one place she was always happy. On the eve of Parker's birthday she finally made the decision. The decision to leave it all behind.