The McKenna Legacy: A Drifter Story | 001.4 Summer is ending

A few weeks had passed since the party. Her work at The Limelight was going well. Johnny was giving her a lot more stage time, so she was expecting a promotion soon.

Zuri had saved a few more bucks and she recently bought an old fridge and a camping generator from her neighbor Miss Rivera. From a salvage store near the town market, she manged to buy a used counter top, so she now at least had a functional kitchenette.
She quite didn't have a roof over her head yet, but things were looking up at work and that promotion she was expecting could be the financial push she needed to start building a real house.

***

Summer was coming to an end and Zuri had been sleeping under the stars for a couple of months now. With a colder season coming in, she was worrying the makeshift bed she had improvised with her sleeping bag was not going to protect her from the elements anymore.
She was getting anxious for that promotion at work, but Johnny kept telling her not to worry, that he was working on making it happen.
Alton could see the stress on her face, when she popped by the store the other day to get some tools. "What's with the long face Zuri?", he said while getting some tools from the upper shelf. She looked up and with a sigh she replied "My sink keeps breaking! Even the old radio you gave me the other day, broke this morning. I feel like things are just getting worse everyday, and I'm getting so stressed from not getting that promotion at work." Alton stepped down from the ladder he was on and gave her a hug trying to comfort her "Don't worry Zuri, you know we will always be here to help you. If you need help fixing stuff you could have just told me!" Zuri wiped the tears that started rolling down her face, "I know, but it's not just that. I really need that promotion or I wont be able to start building my house... Fall is so close, and I started to get cold at night. I just want to have a real roof over my head Alton." Alton held her hands and said, "Here's what we're gonna do. You're gonna stop crying your eyes out and we are going to figure this thing together."and with a smile he added, "Didn't you said your neighbor's son was a contractor? Didn't she gave you his card? So what are you waiting for to call him?" he asked. Zuri nodded recognizing she was making a mountain out of a molehill.

***

Days passed since her talk with Alton. She was feeling a little bit better and she even called Miss Rivera's son Rodrigo. She asked for some estimates on construction materials. He agreed to send her all the information she needed by e-mail that same day.

When she got the estimate, she sighed, "How am I gonna pay for this!". She called Alton, and she explained her problem to him. He agreed to loan her some money for the materials and he said she could stay with him and Cynthia until the house was ready.

After the conversation she was over, she went to her garden. It always calmed her down to take care of the plants. It seemed some of the carrots she planted were ready to harvest so she collected them and put them in the fridge. Either she could use them to cook something later or she could sell them in the market. "I'm probably gonna sell them, every simoleon counts!"

Gardening was a good way to relax, but she really enjoyed strumming on the guitar she bought with her first paycheck.  

Later that night, Zuri had a surprise visit. Her friend Paolo had come to visit.
She was really tired from the hard day at work, but she can always make time for a friend, especially one that lives so far away.
They usually talk on the phone every-other day, and Zuri was very grateful to Paolo, because he helped her get that job at The Limelight . It was kind of a surprise when she saw a car stopping at her door, and a man inside waving frantically at her. Then she recognized him and she was so happy to see him after all these months. They talked for hours, as she ate her dinner, and he explained that he had come for the weekend, visiting Johnny and her. She would've offered for him to stay with her, but she really didn't have an extra sleeping bag and he told her he was going to sleep at Johnny's. Knowing Paolo as she did, he wouldn't be having much sleep anyways... he was a party animal.

The conversation ran long, and Zuri was getting tired. Paolo noticed her sleepy face trying to stay awake for him, so he said "I really have to go now, Johnny is waiting for me and you have to work tomorrow morning right?" Before she could answer he added, "I'll see you tomorrow at the club, Johnny got me tickets for your show!", then he hugged her and left in his car.

The McKenna Legacy: A Drifter Story | 001.3 Celebrating

A few hours had passed since Zuri fell asleep in the car. A soft voice was calling her. "Zuri...Zuri... Wake up!"

As she opened her eyes she saw Alton smiling at her and muttering something she still couldn't understand. "Wake up! We're here!" Rubbing her face she answered."Where is here?" Alton laughed and then he said. "Look outside sleepyhead! We're in Windenburg, at the Von Haunt Estate."

Her eyes tried to focus the big old mansion she had in front of her. Her eyes widened. "Why did you bring me here Alton?"

"I said we were going to celebrate didn't I? So here we are. The most awesome party in the most awesome place." he replied.

"Oh I heard about these parties. My friend Paolo lives here in Windenburg and he keeps telling me I've never seen a real party until I see a party at the Von Haunt!" Zuri said. "But how did you manage to get us in Alton?" she asked.

"Johnny owed me a favor so I cashed it in and got us tickets! I'm just a bit sad Cynthia couldn't come. She was too tired from today's busy market." He explained.

Zuri got out of the truck and looked up. WOW. This looks even bigger from this angle! she thought.

Alton called her as he was getting his jacket out of the truck and closed the doors. "C'mon Zuri. Let's get the party started!"

The party was on the south side of the Estate. The DJ was already pumping up the crowd and the music was rocking. "Hey Zuri let's dance!" Alton yelled, trying to make himself heard over the loud beats. "Sure! Thank you so much for bringing me here Alton. You are the best!" Zuri said as she grabbed him by the hand and ran to the dance floor.

***

The party kept going well into the night. Zuri was having so much fun that she almost forgot she had to work the next morning.

She met a lot of people there and she danced her feet off. But it was time to go home. It was late and they still had a big drive to Oasis Springs. She was feeling sorry for Alton, because he would have to do all that drive late into the night.

"Alton we should go home. It's getting late and we both have to work tomorrow morning." She said as Alton was steering towards the bar. "I worry the drive home is going to be hard on you, and Cynthia must be worried too."

Alton faced her and said "OK we will go now, but don't worry about me. Tomorrow is my day off so I have all day to rest these old bones!" He laughed and then he continued. "Also no need to worry about Cynthia. This was her idea actually. She said it would be good for you to go out and meet people. She wants you to be young and have a little fun, even if you have to bring this old chum along."

"Oh Alton I'm so glad I met you and Cynthia! You truly are the best friends a girl can ask for!" and reaching towards him she gave him a tight hug.

The McKenna Legacy: A Drifter Story | 001.2 Friends are all you got

After a chilly night, sleeping under the stars, Zuri wakes up excited to go to work. She feels so lucky to have such good friends like Paolo. If it wasn't for him she would't know were to start. The town was a strange place for her, as Zuri always lived in the beautiful and green Willow Creek.

After a quick cleanup she hurries to catch the bus. Her new job was at The Limelight, a very popular club in the boardwalk of Oasis Springs.

She was so nervous for her first day.As the bus was driving through the desert hills she was smothering her bag in her lap, thinking if she would really fit in there.

***

The day had passed and as the bus pulled over on the curb Zuri quickly hopped onto the sidewalk. She was so happy! Her day at work was hard, and her armpits were stinking like hell, but she was pleased that she did a good job.

Her stomach was growling. She grabbed a plate of some grilled fruit that she left from the day before.

The fruit was still good but she was so stinky she couldn't even finish it.

She got a towel from her suitcase and she went up to the sink. Zuri tried to clean herself the best she could but she could only wish for a real shower. "Well this will have to do it for now."

As she finished her sponge bath the phone rang. The number was unknown. "That's strange! Who could be calling?" She picked up the phone and on the other side she heard a warm female voice. "Hey! Is this Zuri?"

"Yeah this is Zuri. Who is this?" She replied.

"Oh sorry. My name is Mila Much and I saw you in the club this afternoon. You seemed very nice and so I asked your boss your number. I was wandering if you would like to hangout some time with our club. We are the Upper Crusts! You look like you could fit in very well." Mila explained.

Zuri took a moment to think about it and then she answered "It's very kind of you to make such a request, but I'm still new in town and first I have to get my life sorted out."

"I see! Well when your settled and want to hang out with us just give me a call or come talk to me at the club."

"I will sure do! Thanks again for the invite. I hope to see you at the club soon!" and after some goodbyes Zuri hung up the phone.

***

The rest of the afternoon flew by as she occupied herself planting a few of the fruits and vegetables she collected on the day before.

As she was walking up the street towards the grilling area, she recognized Alton. He was the man from the market who helped her yesterday.

He waved at her and quickly came to greet her.

"Hey Zuri! Nice to see you again. Hope your move is going well? And hows the new job?" He blurted out all at once.

With a giggle Zuri said "It's all going well. I just wished for some more money to at least be able to afford a proper shack at least. But I'm confident the long hours at the club will pay out by the end of the week."

"I'm glad you're enjoying your new job." He said. "You should come visit me at the market sometime. I've noticed you started a small garden, and yesterday you told me you caught a few frogs. If you're ever interested in making some extra money you can always sell those to me or I can trade them for some appliances and hardware to build your house." Alton offered. "If you happen to go to the market and I'm not there just ask for my wife Cynthia and she'll help you out as well." He finished.

"Oh thank you so much Alton! You truly are the best and you're such a good person. I don't even know how to say thank you." She said with a grin on her face. But then she got serious. "But why are you being so nice to me? Don't take me the wrong way, it's just that I'm not really used to such generosity coming from strangers."

"I can relate to the story you told me yesterday, as I was too in foster care for a few years. My only salvation was Cynthia, my wife. We met at an orphanage at the age of 15 and we were both alone, praying for a real family to rescue us. But as the years gone by no family came to pick us up and we could only count on each other. Gradually we fell in love and when we reached 18 we decided to leave the orphanage and get married. The first few days were hard, like yours were being now. But we had some kindhearted people who helped us to get up on our feet and here we are now 10 years later. So that's why I'm helping you. Not only because I know what you're going through but also because I believe in giving back and helping who needs it the most, like once I did."

Zuri had tears rolling down her face as she listened to Alton and Cynthia's story. She could only mumble "T-Thank you for telling me Alton. I promise you you will have in me a very good friend" And then she hugged him for a minute, tears still falling, and she said thank you a million times over in her head.

"Well I have to go now Zuri, but don't forget to visit us at the market." Alton said as he gave her another hug and said goodbye.
"Bye Alton! See you soon." Zuri replied.

Seeing Alton disappear by the curb, Zuri retook her way to the grills. She was happy she could count on someone around here. Her only friend before all this was Paolo, but he had moved to Windenburg so she couldn't really have someone to lean on.

She was getting very hungry again. Fortunately before she caught the bus home after work, she managed to enter a small supermarket and get some things for dinner. She went for some burgers, 'cause she could easily make those in the grill and they should last a bit longer than the fruit.

She grabbed a few and put them on the grill. When they were almost ready she threw some buns in there too, just to toast them a bit.

"The feast is ready." She thought as she placed down the platter and sat down.

The burgers were delicious. She devoured a few and stashed the others on a plastic box she had bought in the supermarket.

***

As the days passed she felt like her life was going back on track. Her small garden was growing and soon she would be able to sell the produce to Alton. Meanwhile she just enjoyed watering the plants and seeing them grow strong.

She enjoyed her new stereo. It was a gift from Alton when she brought him some frogs early that week. After a few attempts at breeding some of the frogs she finally got some baby ones. She still could't tell which breed they were but Alton should know better then her, so she decided to visit him at the market.

He was super happy to see her (and the baby frogs). Right away he told her that she got lucky breeding such a rare frog at first try. 

They talked for a while and she got to meet Cynthia. She was a very nice lady, always looking with sweetness at Alton with her big eyes.

Alton put the frogs away and said "Zuri here's your money for the frogs."

"Thanks Alton! I'm saving up some good money and I hope with my next pay I'll be able to put some wall up on my lot." Zuri said with a smile.

And before she could wave goodbye to Alton and Cynthia he replied."Wait a minute! I have something else for you, let me just go around back".

After a few minutes he showed up again carrying a stereo. "I know how you love to dance, so I pulled this old thing from my garage. I know you will enjoy it more than I do 'cause now I don't really have enough time to go down to the garage and work on my wooden pieces."

Zuri smiled once again and thanked him. "Sure it will make my daily gardening a lot more fun now!"

She waved goodbye and walked down the road heading home.

***

Pulling a small crate she had as her nightstand, she put the radio on top. After messing a little bit with the buttons she started hearing a soft beat and a recognizable voice on the radio.

She started moving, trying to shake off all the tension from work. The dance was natural to her like the water was to her plants.

***

The next few days were calm. She went to work everyday in the morning and came back home mid-afternoon and took care of her garden. Her only worries were that her boss still hadn't let her perform.
She was basically just running errands for him and the rest of the artists, or helping them run their lines. But she wasn't giving up that easily.
Later that day, she called her manager Mr. Zest. "Sorry to bother you Mr.Zest, but I was wandering if you would mind to talk about the show for tomorrow!"
"No problem at all Zuri, and please I already told you I prefer if you would call me Johnny!"He replied. "But tell me what is your problem with tomorrows show?"
She inhaled as she gathered the strength to say "Hum... I don't have any problems with it. In fact I have been practicing a routine for that show since a few weeks now, and I was wandering if you would let me present it in tomorrow's show?!" Then before he could answer she added "I can run it by you in the morning if you would like?!"
A silence on the line made her nerves even frailer. As she was about to crumble he said "OK I think you had enough time and learned a lot watching these past few weeks. I'll give you a shot tomorrow. Come by my office in the morning Zuri,"
She was speechless. He said yes. Her hopes were up again. Trying to control her burst of happiness she replied "Sure thing Mr. Zest... I mean Johnny! Will be there at 9 am sharp! See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow Zuri." And he hung up.

***

That day before she left to catch the bus she called Alton and Cynthia and invited them to join her for her first show. He said they would try to be there but he couldn't promise anything because it was going to be a busy day at the store.

Alton and Cynthia never showed up, but he sent her a text wishing her to "break a leg" and that he had a surprise for her latter that day.

Even tough the club was almost empty, she had a great time doing a number with another comedian. She wasn't bad for a first-timer and the few people that were watching enjoyed the show.

***

When she came back home Alton was waiting for her, with is truck parked on her lot.

"Hey funny lady. My old friend Johnny told me you killed it on stage!" He yelled as she was running towards him.

She stopped and said "I didn't know you knew my manager!"

"We've been friends since middle school. He was a great support during my teen years along with Cynthia." He answered with a big smile on his face. "But enough talking about Mr. Zest! How did you feel on that stage? Was it all you expected?"

"It was pretty nice to feel watched you know? Even tough I was a bit nervous, I think the public enjoyed the show and I'm really proud of myself!" Zuri said.

"Good! I'm happy for you! And I have a surprise for you tonight so get your things ready because we are going to celebrate tonight!" Alton shoot with a happy face.

Zuri was confused "But were are we going?"

"You'll see soon enough." He said mysteriously.

***

After driving a few miles Zuri fell asleep.

"Poor thing! She is working so hard, I think she'll enjoy the surprise." Alton mumbled.

The McKenna Legacy: A Drifter Story | 001.1 Times are hard!

There she was, Zuri McKenna, in Oasis Springs, her new home. The little money she got left, was invested in a small plot of land called Agave Abode.

She looked around trying to find a familiar face, but she was alone, only the wind blowing and the hot sun touching her face.

Her pockets were empty. She only had that plot of land to her name. She thought to herself "I gotta make some money... somehow... and fast!"

She grabbed a bag from her belongings and she started walking, exploring the neighborhood.

A few steps ahead Zuri hears water streaming. She followed the sound and after going down a small track she sees a river. "This is perfect! I can go fishing here. At least I'll get something to eat. Those grills up there will be perfect to do some fried fish. And if I get more than one I can try and sell them for some extra money." After looking around, she whips up an improvised fishing rod with a stick and some floss she had in her bag.

"Let's try this." she says, and she throws the line in the river.

She waits and waits but nothing. After a long half hour, she feels the rod bending a little. She pulls, and it must be big because it's heavy. A last pull and some brown mushy wood comes out of the water. Angrily she throws it back in the water.

Just her luck! But she get's herself together. "C'mon Zuri you can do this! Don't give up just yet"

The line goes back in the water. More push and pull and a lot of waiting later, a small box comes out of the water. "What could this be?"

"Hey! It's an electronic upgrade part! Good I can sell this in the market. Now let's see if we get some real fishing done!"
After a few more hours she finally has some fish in the bag. And she also learned a little bit more of the fishing skill.

"Ok I think it's enough for now. Let's see what else I can find in here."

She look around and she sees a strange rock with some cristals sticking from the sides.

"What could this be? I hope it's some rare cristal I can sell!"

She grabs an old hammer and she starts cracking the rock. Nothing in the rock, but beneath there is a misterious box.

She pulls the box from the hole and opens it. Inside it a cute doll peeks. "Oh she looks like me! I'm going to keep you to remind me of this first day!

She puts the doll in her bag and she runs off , looking for more rocks and things she could collect.
Near the grilling area, there are some small garden planters. Some of the plants are ready to harvest and she quickly grabs a few and puts them in the bag.

Her bag is getting heavy and she is getting tired. She rests on a bench near by, while she watches the sky. She looks at her phone and then she remembers, her old friend Paolo used to work there as an entertainer before moving to Windenburg. Maybe he can help her get a job at the same place he used to work. "I'm going to call him"

A few minutes of chat and Paolo happily gives her the number of the manager at the club.
She calls him immediately and the manager agrees to let her work as an amateur at the club since he did get some recommendations from Paolo.
"Thank you so much Mr. Zest! I will be there tomorrow morning at 9 am to practice for the afternoon show!"
Her heart is beating fast, she still cannot believe he said yes. Her dream of becoming an amazing entertainer superstar ids one step closer.

She looks at the sky one more time. It's getting dark, she better hurry and find a few more thing to sell before the market closes.

A few meters ahead, behind some bushes a fountain glows. She looks inside. "Looks like a small frog in there. I have a few jars in my bag. If I can catch it and it's a rare breed it will give me some good simoleons". She kneels down to reach inside the fountain. "I got you now!"

Some more running trough the desert and she finds a log with another frog inside. "Good! Maybe I can breed these two and see if I get another more valuable one."

"OK my bag is so heavy! I'll quickly go to the market I saw on the way here and sell all this stuff."

***

When she returns from the market, her bag is almost empty, apart from the doll she found. Her wallet has a few simoleons and she got some pieces of fruit she can grill. She goes back to the grilling area and she puts some pieces on the grill. "I just hope I don't set any fires here."

"Well it doesn't look that bad! Let's have some because I'm starving!"

"It sure is hot! But it's sooooo good! I'll save some for tomorrow. I just hope it doesn't spoil 'til then."

Her bladder is almost exploding. So she waddles back to her lot. 

Fortunately a furniture store near the market was open and with the money she had left she bought some old trinkets to make her "home" a little bit more livable. The owner of the store was kind enough to give her a lift and also bring the stuff to her lot.

Zuri put's the pieces of wood together for some bathroom privacy and then she assembles the bed.

After this hard day she is ready for some rest. She slips into the bed and covers herself wishing the next day is a better one, because her journey is just starting!

Let's Play: The Sims 4 Wonder Child Challenge #22 Mentally Gifted

New episode of my Wonder Child Challenge! Enjoy!

Zuri McKenna "The Drifter"

This story starts with our founder Zuri McKenna. A young woman with many plans for her life. She is a Drifter, she wandered all her life from one foster house to another. Her parents passed away in a car accident, during a storm, when she was just 5 years old.

Her dream in life is to be a great entertainer. She loves dancing and hanging out with other people. Dance it's her escape from reality. It's her way of leaving behind the past life and all the sorrows.
She also dreams of finding someone special to share this new adventure because her heart is always open for love, and she want to have a true family at once.

Her new adventure starts in the city of Oasis Springs, a beautiful desert city where she plans to build a house starting from zero.

Note: The Drifter Challenge is a series of mini-challenges and was created by Vihisha Tak Nai on the Sims Forums. You can find the written rules for all the houses mini-challenges here or here.

First story coming soon!

Sul sul! my dear Simmers!

If you are reading this blog and don't know me, my name is Sara aka. Simmer PT and I do Sims videos on Youtube!!!
Surely you should be asking yourself : "Then why the heck do you have a blog?". Well I created this blog a little while ago, because I wanted to tell all my other Sims stories that I can't possibly tell on my channel. This is also another way of expressing myself and all my love for The Sims!
My first story will be coming very soon, and if you follow my channel or my Twitter account then you should probably guessed what kind of story this is! 

It's called The McKenna Legacy: A Drifter Story.

To give you a little sneak peak of this story here is my founder sim Zuri McKenna: