3.3 - Raising Babies

Tyler's Transcripts 

I can't believe it. My hair has gone gray and I still have these two little infants to care for as well as two 2-year olds. Thank heaven for Pampa! Had it not been for her I wouldn't be updating this journal right now and who knows what might have happened to my babies. Especially Florence.

Pampa said she was pretty sure that little Florence or Flo as we dubbed her has Matt's mutation. But she assured me that Flo needn't die from it as Matt did.  

She explained that as Flo got older her appetite would be voracious and she would need to have access to the limited water supply to keep from dying of dehydration as her father had done. Eventually she would learn to live without the extra food and water and adapt to her form. For now she was just a sweet little baby girl. No more demanding than her twin brother Garland. 

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Flo and Garland are now toddling around and it is visibly apparent that Flo did inherit the mutation from her Father that is causing her legs to be pink and scaley. Right now she was still getting enough nutrients through the formula so she doesn't have the food and hydration issues that Pampa said to expect as she reaches childhood and into her teen years.

Flo and Victoria like to play together. Wherever Victoria is sitting, Flo would crawl over to her and just watch her play. It was sweet to watch the sisters.

The down side is now I have 4 toddlers! At least the two older ones can talk, walk and go to the potty by themselves. What a relief...No more pointing and crying and dirty diapers for two of them anyway. 

Before we did anything, I had to stop and count to make sure all were present and accounted for. I would just look for 3 little black heads and one red one! You could always pick out Irving in a crowd. It was easy to tell if it was Irving that was missing.  I am not so sure about that boy!





Poor Pampa barely had time to feed herself. If two were sleeping, usually two were being fed or trained.


Pampa and I work hard teaching the youngest twins to walk, talk and get them potty trained. They need to be ready for school.

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Irving

Victoria

Babies don't stay babies forever and do grow up. Before I knew it, Victoria and Irving were ready to start school. 

We celebrated with cake. And I have to say, you can tell Victoria likes her cake! Don't get in her way when she has something halfway yummy to eat. 
  











Now that we had two in school, there were so many snow days from the blasted toxic cloud that still covered the sky, that Pampa and I worked with Victoria and Irving to help them keep their grades up.  

 

One of the things we noticed about Irving is he has a tendency to have panic attacks which can only be relieved by breathing into a paper bag. And he does this weird thing with his arm. Maybe he is double jointed. Anyway, I hope he outgrows this because he really is a smart child. 

Garland thinks it's really funny when he does this. Easy entertainment I suppose. Or maybe he just wants to know when he can have the brownies that Irving likes to make on the toy oven. They really are delicious. 

Flo and Garland liked to sleep in front of the fire every night. Even though we had cribs it had become their preferred place to be probably because of the warmth. 

We had a party for the youngest twins on their birthday. They would finally be in school with their older siblings. 






Sadly, this would be the last birthday that Pampa celebrated with us. She died shortly after their party.

I would never have been able to do this without the love and dedication of my sister. I will be forever grateful and I know the kids will miss her. 

Her death suddenly makes my own mortality more real to me. I will undoubtedly follow her to the grave in a few years. While we can still be present up until our dying day, we still have far fewer years on this planet than they did in my Grandmother's time. Until this land is once again restored to its former and hopefully better state, I fear this will be the fate of humankind for many years to come. 

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Florence

Garland

My little Garland inherited his sister's love of food. It's sad because it is totally unrelated to the issue that his poor sister Flo has to deal with. She HAS to eat massive quantities of food just to survive. 

Garland lives to eat and Florence eats to live.

I saw them goading each other the other day. Garland said, "Why do you have stupid purple legs?" and then Flo retorted back, "Why do you have two chins?"

Then they started playing chess together like it was nothing....thank goodness.

Seriously though, my children, while not perfect, are my children and I love all four of them dearly. 

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It's funny to see it happening, but Victoria is taking over as the most dominant one of all the children - or should I say bossy. She tells them how to do their homework and makes sure they all sit down together...It's great really. I know they will be teens in just a couple of years and am super happy they will be able to continue their education.

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Victoria

Irving

My firstborn are now teenagers - and able to attend high school! They need to remember that it was their father (at my insistence) that helped make that happen. 

Victoria must be letting Flo have some of her portions or maybe it was the workout routines we were following, but she lost some of her baby fat as she got older. And Irving, well Irving is Irving. He still uses his paper bag ALL the time!

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I know my days are numbered so today I sat down with Victoria. I needed to let her know about what was really going on with her sister and how to help her through a transition period that would allow her to adapt to less water and food in her teenage years because I wasn't sure I would be around.

I felt so bad burdening my daughter with everything. But she was strong. We had talked about their heritage and how things used to be, but I wanted to be sure she read the journals started by her Great-grandmother Abilene. 

She needed to understand what her family had done and hearing it in their words is the best way. 

After we discussed the journals, the next thing I had to tell was especially difficult. All I could do really was impart upon her a sense of duty to continue what Abilene had began. Our little family had done so much, but there was still so much to be done. 

Victoria had to bear children to carry on our family's legacy. Plus, she needs to begin to chronicle her and her brother's and sister's lives so as to pass this down to her children. 

The town was beginning to look to us as role models to make a difference in their lives. The Gentry name meant something. It really was up to her to do make sure that continued. The four of them should do what she and her brothers and sister had done. Figure out what they were passionate about and use that passion to find a way to 'fix' the Valley.

When Victoria asked my why her - it was simple. She was strong and the Gentry name had to blood. Men cannot be relied upon to produce children with a woman and know for certain the child carries their genes, whereas if a woman bears a child - there is no doubt as to the bloodline of the child. 

It couldn't be Florence because of her mutation. And this was hard to tell my daughter - Flo shouldn't procreate because of the possibility of spreading the mutation. Maybe someday someone could create a real cure but for now there were no cures. 

I told her blood is indeed thicker than water. Your Aunt Pampa devoted her life to see to it that you and you brothers and sister were well cared for since your father died when you were but very small children.

I went to bed exhausted at the burden I had just placed on my eldest daughter but she seemed to accept her duty with grace and pride. 

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Garland

It was soon my youngest children's birthday. And we celebrated with cake as was now a tradition. 

Like his older sister, Garland had lost a lot of his baby fat and now Flo could no longer poke fun at his extra chins. 

Unfortunately, she still had purple fish legs.....

Not long after Flo's birthday, the gravity of her condition was soon apparent. 

Florence passed out in the floor. We were prepared and Irving had the honor of throwing a bucket of water in her face. I think he enjoyed it actually - not because he was a hero but because he thought it was funny to throw water on his sister and not get in trouble. 

We were already dealing with Flo's voracious appetite. Both Garland and Victoria envied her. She ate and ate and ate and....well you get the picture. And she never gained an ounce. While Victoria and Garland just ate a little and gained weight. At least they don't have scales on them.

I think Victoria was secretly happy that I had told her she was going to be the Matriarch of this family very soon - maybe sooner than she realizes. 

Until next time...If there is a next time. I really am tired...

All my love - Tyler



<---- Go back to Chapter 3.2    Go to Chapter 4.1----->

3.2 - Making a Difference

Tyler's Transcripts

Last time I wrote, my twin sister Temple and I were waiting to get our job assignments. Mine was easy. I walked right up to the school and they took me on as a playground monitor. Playground? Get real. It was more like get your butt on the bus monitor. 

Temple managed to sidestep the government bureaucracy and got a job with the mob. It actually worked out well since Pampa was on the police force. Pampa could let Temple know when there was going to be a bust so she wouldn't get arrested. And Temple would let Pampa know when they planned to hit our house so we could be ready. 

We have all been working hard at our jobs. 


My brother Marshall can be found working on his muscle development and acrobatic skills - that is when he isn't making breakfast, lunch and dinner for his three sisters.


Yes Marshall is still our cook. And he is getting pretty good. All those muffins he made as a kid are paying off. 

At least he isn't chained to the typewriter anymore since we are all earning an income - just to give to the mob. But it buys us food. 

He's always smiling. Not so much like everyone else though. I guess our jobs feel more stressful than his - or maybe it is just because we are girls. Not quite sure. 

Then there is Pampa. I love my big sister. She is determined if nothing else. She comes home and practices strategies on the chessboard with Temple - the criminal! It's funny to see them together.

Pampa finally got promoted into the Forensics department. Now she interviews as many old people as she can so she can input the information into the database she is creating to help figure out the root cause of ES. She desperately wants to cure this. I wonder if it's really for us because of how we haphazardly had to raise ourselves or if she is just worried about herself. Regardless, we will all benefit. 



Temple. My crazy twin sister. She is now sneaking out every night to go to the criminal hideout. She has even taken to wearing a mask so no one will recognize her. It's taking her awhile to get in the inner circle. Sometimes she has to go in and they don't even pay her for it. They are nasty. I will be glad when she takes them over and I have no doubt she will. 

Now, me on the other hand, I love what I am doing, but it IS hard to get changes made. I have made really good friends with my boss. I think he likes me - well more than likes me - I think he wants to be more than friends. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Make him see the light and open up the school to teens and even adults that may need an education. 



Pampa and I love to take advantage of the library that our Grandmother Abby reopened. I hope one day our family can own this and rename it for her - that would be cool. There is just so much literature here. It is amazing.
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You are going down bitch!

Last night we had a burglar! Pampa was awesome. She was prepared because Temple let her know they were coming. She went out and took that crook down and sent her running. We didn't arrest her because Pampa didn't want to bring any undue attention to Temple. It is best they don't know her sister is a cop! So far Temple has been able to avoid getting arrested herself. They make a good team. 







 

And don't EVER think about coming back to THIS house. Don't mess with PAMPA!

I love my big sister!!!! 






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We were all getting close to reaching our goals. It was exciting. We had a quick discussion about what we would do afterwards. I insisted that once Marshall got the final routines just right, that he would need to move out and try to have a life outside this hell hole. He just said it's all a hell hole sis...I can stay. I said NO! 

Then Pampa broke in and said she had very exciting news. She was on the verge of a breakthrough and it all had to do with exercise, diet and children. Those that had learned how to cook the food, worked out regularly and took care of young children felt better and no longer closed themselves off. They could begin to see a brighter future and function normally. Marshall's routines would no doubt help even more and thanks to Aunt Paris, they now had access to better food. I wanted to hug her.

Then she dropped a bombshell on me and I wanted to kill her. She told me she was getting too old to bear children and the future or our family would rely upon me. I couldn't be Temple since she was involved in the mob - they could take her children from her. She said, "All you need is a sperm donor. Mom and grandmother had no husband." I think Marshall spit soup clear across the room when she said that. If I had been eating I would have as well. If looks could kill she would be dead.

She was right of course. All I needed to do was convince my boss that we should open up the school. I liked him enough, but never thought of him in THAT way. Then I thought, what better way to get him on my side. It is for OUR children! Perfect. I love it when a plan comes together. It won't be that bad. He is nice.  
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Pampa was right. She and Marshall were getting old but they were able to keep going. Neither of them showed and signs of ES.It was awesome to know that I still had my brother and sister. They were nothing like our Mom and Uncle Austin. They worked and were completely lucid. It was great! Did I say I loved my big sister?

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Well, it was time. I knew I wasn't far behind Pampa in fertility and I had to get the high school open so I flirtatiously invited Matt MacGuire, my boss, to come to my house. He held the key to all of my dreams. That made me like him and hate him at the same time. 





I left no doubt as to why I wanted him to come to my home. We wasted no time getting down to business. 

Matt readily climbed into my bed. But when I told him I wanted a baby, he balked. So I did what any self-respecting conniving woman would do. I lied. I told him I don't mean now, but later, later I want to have your baby. He was good with that. It wasn't so bad either. He was very sweet to me. 

Well my trick (lie) worked. I got the high schools open and I got pregnant. I killed two birds with one stone! I was so excited. 

I began the workout routines that Marshall prescribed for me and turned on the kids station. It seemed to calm the baby down. I was happy. I was going to be a mom and MY kids would be able to go to high school and I would be able to care for them into my elder years. Life was good, well as good as it can be in a hell hole... 









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I can't believe it! TWINS! 


Well, I should have known that was why my belly was so active. Two of them in there and well, my mom was a twin and so am I. It was bound to happen. I have two sweet babies. One of each. Victoria and Irving. I researched Texas cities in the Library! Thanks Grandma Abilene! It was in your honor that I named your great-grand children in the same fashion that your family has been named. 

I invited Matt over to see the babies and maybe get another donation. Well, reverse that, get a donation and then see the babies. Heck gotta get it when I can before it is too late.

He was very accommodating this time having no idea his kids were sleeping in the other room. He figured I was going to tell him it was time for babies! Yes, he would give me another donation and then he could meet Victoria and Irving. But not now. Not yet. 






This time there were no questions from Matt. He was ready for it and accepted that I would probably want this to be the baby making round. 

I let him believe it. He must have known something was wrong, because even though he was sweet, he didn't stay in bed with me this time. 





He got up afterwards and went upstairs to the kitchen. I assumed he was hungry for some of Marshall's good cooking. 

I picked up Irving who was now awake and went to introduce Matt's son to him. When he saw the baby he wasn't happy. He just went on upstairs acting like he didn't see us. 

Sadly I thought to myself, Whatever loser. I don't need you anymore anyway. But then, I heard Pampa scream, "Bring me a pail of water - quick!"
I ran upstairs to see what was going on. Matt lay passed out on the floor, blue and green scales showing beneath his robe. I looked at Pampa in shock and she just said, "It's a mutation. I have seen this in the field. He needs water," and then dumped the bucket on him which revived him - temporarily. I hadn't noticed his legs before now. The lights were off and we were under the covers. 

Matt died of Dehydration

My sweet Matt (now he's sweet) got up and made his way to the bathroom. I followed him because I was going to barf. I threw up on the floor and he never made it past the bathroom. His urn is now a new piece of furniture in our bathroom. But he served us well. We have a high school, he has two children and pretty sure one on the way. 


Thank you for your contribution Matt. Our family is in your debt. 



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It is hard being pregnant and heartbroken. I didn't realize how hard Matt's death would affect me but I suppose it is more for his children than for me. God forgive me when you read this babies. I did care for him and I DID NOT kill him. I think he knew and that is why he was upset about seeing Irving. He knew he wouldn't get to care for him. And he was hoping I became pregnant - which of course I did.



I went into labor and my big sis was right there by my side. She was only mildly freaked out. And guess what, I stayed true to form and delivered two babies. TWINS again.

Another matched set, a boy and a girl, Florence and Garland. I am not sure, but I am afraid Florence has Matt's mutation but we will know more about that as she grows. Pampa seemed a bit concerned as well but she said she would stay and help us through it.



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The oldest twins are now toddling around. They are so cute! And smart too. Hah. They had me and another teacher for parents - of course they are. I wish we had more toys for them. But there is no extra building materials to make them. They have to make due with whatever odd toy we have. But they don't seem to mind too much.  
I am determined to give them every chance to have a good start in life so Pampa helps me with their training. It feels like my mom is standing over watching proudly - I hope so. 
I think Victoria looks a lot like me with her Daddy's nose. She definitely has my eye and hair color. While her brother favors his father more. One day we will buy the school property and rename it to the Gentry MacGuire Education Center. 

Well with all of the news about me, I forgot to mention that I finally convinced Marshall to move out and try to find a wife. It was sad to see him leave. He was such a good caretaker. But now we can actually make training worthwhile and I can even move those blasted beds around.  

And, bless her heart, my twin sister Temple stopped the ridiculous mob payments. Maybe she was able to do it because she never once got arrested thanks to Pampa. Now we can actually keep the money we earn, well except to pay the REAL bills. She is still living with us and helps when she can but is still working nights. She may move out soon since we now have a bit of cash to get us through. 

Finally, Pampa. Well God love her. She quit her job and is staying with me to help raise these youngsters. She is their "Uncle Austin".  Uh oh - babies are crying. There is ALWAYS a baby crying. 

Later

Tyler aka Mooomyyyy!

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