He said, “This is Aaron.  Who am I speaking to?”

“My name is Dr. Susanne Kuhl with Tahoma General Hospital and your mother is here.  She is very sick and we don’t know how much longer she will live,” The voice responded.

Aaron hopped on the next bus and was at the hospital in 45 minutes.  “My name is Aaron Colby and I was told my mother Madiline Colby was here,” Aaron said to the receptionist.

“Rom 412.  The elevator is to the left.  Fourth floor and make a right out of the elevator,” The receptionist said.

Aaron knocked on the door and was let in by what looked like a 60 or 70 year old lady.  Confused, Aaron said, “I’m looking for my mother, Madiline Colby.”

“Aaron, it’s me,” The woman said, “It’s your mother.  Please, get Pat here.  There’s a lot we need to discuss.”  She then started crying.  “Please, bring Pat.  There’s something I need to say.  To both of you.  I am on my deathbed and the doctor’s don’t know how much longer I have.”

River rushed Pat over to the hospital in her van and they enter.  River introduces herself and politely excuses herself from the room saying, “I think I should take my leave.  If you need me, I’ll be in the waiting room.”  Aaron thanked River for taking leave.

Madiline explained, “I understand if you don’t accept my apoligy, and I know I don’t deserve it, but please hear me out.  The doctors say I won’t be around much longer and it is my dying wish that I leave this world on good terms with both of you.”  Understandably, Pat looked on with suspicion since all through her 14 years, her mother abused her more than Aaron.

Their mother continued, “It’s my own fault.  I smoked too much Marijuana and that’s why I look like a grandma at 33.  It’s my own fault that we were homeless all these years.”

Aaron decided, “Mom, I think I can accept.  Pat, it is your choice and your choice alone.  I’m going to leave you two alone to discuss things.  I will be with River in the waiting room.”

Mom and Pat had a long conversation and about an hour later, she came to the waiting room and said to Aaron, “Mom’s not going to last long.  We’re her only children and she wants us to get with a lawyer and work on a will.  I want to start right now.”

River said, “I don’t mind transporting you two, but I want nothing to do with the will.  She is your mother, not mine.”

Aaron said, “Thank-you River.”

Pat said, “I told Mom that I accepted her apology.  She did quit Pot but it’s too late.  Let’s head to the Library and start our research now, please.”  So, that’s just what they did.  They decided to head to Tahoma Central (instead of their home of South Tahoma) since they figured it would have more resources.

Now that Aaron was 18, he and River got a two bedroom apartment together.  One bedroom for him & River and the other bedroom for Pat.

As Pat’s new clothes were being washed, she wore her old shirt and pants just one last time before they would be thrown out (more new clothes would be coming the next day).  Since it was late, they shared a Pizza.  Since Pat was tired and there were no other seats yet (they’d be coming tomorrw), she used the toilet to sit down on.

The next day, River takes them to Neighborhood Park and Pat challenges her to a Chess match.  Pat wins!  River then takes Pat to the book store and there’s even more good news!

Pat returns to the apartments and boasts, “I’m hired at the book store!!!!”

Pat then pulls out her homework that’s due tomorrow and asks, “River, do you mind helping with my homework?”

“Sure,” River says and the two sit down and River tutors where needed.

After helping Pat with her homeowrk, River decided to have a very special moment alone with Aaron.  Knowing that Aaron’s never really had “adult fun” before, she got it on with Aaron :X

The next day went by smoothly for everyone and Pat was very excited to be stepping into the bookstore to begin work.  Pat came hove very excited.  She finally earned some honest bread for the first time ever in her life

That evening, she had her brother help with homework, then everyone headed for bed.  Tomorrw was Saturday.  No homework, no school, and no work!  The three of them were going to spend the weekend bonding.

School got out the next day and Aaron’s new friend River McIrish came over to spend time with them.  She’s going to see if her parents would let them visit for an afternoon.

As promised, River’s mother picked her up from school and also brought Pat and Aaron with them.

They make a quick pit stop at River’s mother’s friend’s house for dinner and clothes fitting.  Pat decided to get some homework done while there.

Aaron and River are starting to forge a close friendship and she looks to Aaron as a brother.  She also willing takes to Pat as a sister.  Things are finally looking up for the Colby’s as they now have a roof over their head and will soon get clean clothes.  This would be their first time having a shower in ages.

This is also the first time the Colby’s have a decent meal in a long time when River takes them to her favorite 50s Diner

River is starting to look at Aaron as “more than a friend” and pulls him into a bear hug.  As she’s letting go, she gently kisses him on the neck.  Aaron is obviously on Cloud 9

With new clothes(!) and a shower that felt really good, River decided to teach Pat how to play Chess.  Turns out, Pat is a very fast learner.

Pat woke up to find herself lying on her bench.  She yawned and started crying.  “It was all a dream,” She sobbed.

“What’s wrong Pat,” Her brother asked.

“I had this dream.  A dream where Mom was nice to me and where we had a roof over our heads.  Mom wasn’t smoking grass.”  She then paused to sob heavily.

Her brother took her into his arms and said, “I love you Pat.  I promise, when I turn 18.  I promise I will take care of you.”

Mom came over and screamed and yelled.  “Just who the Fuck do you think you are,” Mom demanded out of the blue.

“What the,” Pat wondered aloud in confusion.

Mom then looked like she was going to physically hurt Pat, so Aaron intervined.  “Damn it Mom, that does it!  No more Grass for you, I don’t give a damn what you think.  NO MORE GRASS,” He yelled.  He then pulled his sister away from his mother and took her to their clubhouse.

“I don’t think I can wait until I’m 18,” Aaron said, “Im going to try and formulate something at school today.”  Pat’s sobs grew louder and she crawled over to his side and cried in his lap.  He knew, for both his and his sister’s sake, what he had to do.

It seems Aaron met a friend in school and River McIrish was more than willing.  It also turns out that River’s parents really care about Pat and Aaron’s plight, so maybe things will work this time around…

Could it be?  Mom actually cleaning up her act?

What was very unusual was that as Pat and Aaron woke up and sat up on their benches was Mom wasn’t trying to be mean or anything!  In fact, she was burning her complete secret stash of pot using the old park grill.  “I’m quitting, cold turkey.  No more Pot.  It’s gonna be rough.  I start work tomorrow so I can have an honest paycheck and I’m going to try and get us a roof over our heads!”

Pat and Aaron couldn’t believe it.  By the time school let out, their mother was actually waiting for them and had them catch the city bus over to the South Tahoma’s LongStay.  The kids couldn’t believe it.  A real, actual bed!  They plunked down and fell stright asleep, the best sleep they’ve had in years!

Monday rolled around and that meant Aaron and Pat could get food and a shower at school.  Mom had a new trick to further make their life miserable

The kids were delighted to see the school bus pull up and take them to South Tahoma School.  At least there they knew they would have a meal and could use the locker room showers.

The bus dropped them off as always and gathered outside with the other students awaiting 7:00 AM for the doors to open (classes started at 7:25 AM and this gave them enough time to clean up, have breakfast, and get their books).  Since South Tahoma is a small town, the one public school serves the entire K-12 population.

“It feels good to finally eat,” Pat said as she got in line with her brother.

“Yes it does,” Aaron said.  They then plugged their Student IDs into the machine which read that they were entitled to the Tahoma Free Meals program.

Pat greedily ate her cereal since she had nothing at all yesterday and Aaron didn’t blame his sister.

Meanwhile, back at the park, Mom watched as the neighbor left for work then went diving looking for food.

“Damn I’m hungry,” She thought to herself as she continued digging through.  Nothing.  No food, no nothing.  She went to the outhouse to her secret stash and lit up some pot.  She had a nasty cough, but now she wasn’t so hungry.

The kids arrived home to see their mother looking and smelling terrible.  “You need to lay off that Damn Marijuana,” Aaron said angirly as Pat climbed into the old playset.  Aaron followed his sister to what they considered their clubhouse and saw his sister crying.  He looked down and saw his mother crying as she was lighting a fire on the old grill and burning the rest of her grass.

“What’s that small,” Pat asked.

You’re not going to believe this,” Aaron replied, “Mom’s destroying her pot stash!”

“No, I don’t believe…” Pat said.  She looked down and sobbed, “Hmm, I don’t believe it.  Could this be a new beginning?”

Mom couldn’t believe her eyes when a car pulled up and out popped a pizza delivery.  “Your neighbor paid for this for you,” The guy explained.

“Why thank you,” Mom said as she took the pizza over to the kids.  They split it three way and were delighted to have something good and filling to eat for the first time in ages.

Their mother went to her bench, tired yet for once not hugry, and the kids went to their benches.  They decided to sleep facing each other and soon fell asleep, with a glimmer of hope that their lives were going to turn for the better.

When Mom returns to the park, she hurls more insults at both of the kids as she lit up another marijuana cigarette and blew a nasty smoke cloud into Pat’s face.  Mom started caughing up a storm and Aaron said, “That fucking does it!  I’m tired of your damn smoking!  Come on Pat.”

He dragged his sister along to the little outhouse and he knew what he had to do.  He knew where his mother’s secret stash of pot was and decided to use the broken down payphone to call the operator.  Before he picked up the receiver, he started having second thoughts.  If he could hold for a few more days, he would turn 18 and could try and legally take care of his 14-year old sister.  He didn’t want to loose Patricia.  He was too frightened.

Pat pulled her brother into a hug, her way saying thank-you for the offer of protecting her.  She then yawned as the sun started going down.

Aaron agreed with Pat in that it was bed time.  Tomorrow was a school day and would be the first time they had a meal in ages.  They curled up on the park benches by the playground so they could be together and headed off to another rough sleep.

Mom attempts to tell Sob Story to neighbor: why they are living in a park

Pat and Aaron sit down on one of the benches together as Aaron starts thinking about his bed in his old home.  Smoke fills the air as he looks back.  “Mom’s smoking grass again,” He sighs as his sister sits next to him.

“I’m tempted to turn her in,” Pat reflected.  “You know,” She continued, “Mom started saying some nasty things about you behind your back.”

“What was she saying,” Aaron asked.

“She says you are stupid for trying to interfere in her grass and that you need to mind your own business,” Pat said.

“She’s killing herself and I think it’s bullshit.  I made up my mind.  Next time I see a police officer…” Aaron said.  He stopped because he knew he’d be lectured by his mother again.

Aaron realized he enjoyed this chat with his sister.  At least she was being polite to him.  Pat realized it also and they continued chatting.

“Pat,” Aaron said, “I promise you, when I turn 18 in a few days, I’m going to try to get us settled back in a house.  I promise I’m going to try my best to legally take care of you.”

“Aaron,” Pat said, “I can do things myself you know.  I’m 14 and I think I can handle things.”

Aaron said, “In the eyes of the court, since you’re under 16, you need a parent or legal guardian to make decisions for you.  I asked the guidence counselor at school yesterday.”

So their mother just insulted both of them. Aaron gets the idea, “Give me a push on the swing!”  Both of them were happy to know that even though it was rusted over, the swing didn’t break under Aaron’s weight.

Their mother insults both of them again and they both decided they’ve had it.  Before they could say anything, their mother lit up on some grass and Aaron was extremely pissed.  “You know,” He yelled at his mother, “This is why we’re out of a house!”

Linking to this story? Please use this URL: http://raggiesoftcolby.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/welcome-to-raggiesoft-colby/

Thanks to Robin Burkinshaw for the idea. I am going to use this blog to tell my Colby story.  The idea comes from Alice and Kev which tells the life of a homeless girl and her father using The Sims 3.

If you’re familiar with Colby, this part picks up before Aaron & Pat(ricia)’s mother dies of a drug overdose and they’re “living” in an abandoned city park.

If not, The Colby siblings are trying to make things happen and are trying to hopefully start living in a real house.

Start Reading from the Beginning