Varland Story - Chapter 11 - Grimmy

Every now and then something actually goes right! I had to swap a month's worth of weekends for it but I have my dream assignment.


Nobody's got any beef coming and I'm not out of line here. The guy has it made...he's achieved his lifetime ambition to restore order to the streets of Sunset Valley...still in excellent health at 90-something.

Still in love with his sweet wife and she with him...

A brilliant and beautiful daughter to be proud of...

Respectful and respectable son-in-law who treats her like a queen...

A really cute grandson...

Best buds with his brother for almost 90 years...

A young genius physician for a nephew...

All in all, a blessed life, and I've been itching to take him out ever since he decked me 70 years ago!

Yes, yes, I know we grims are supposed to keep a certain professional detachment, but this one's personal! I'm relishing every moment of it.

Varland Story - Chapter 10 - Zeline

I'm altogether gobsmacked! After a lifetime of dedication to building up not merely the Doo Peas Corporation, but the entire Sunset Valley business community, Anders has been made redundant! One would think that missing the carpool once in fifty years could be overlooked, but apparently not! It's ironic, given how Anders chided Hayley for years that enforcing workers' rights would hobble a still fledgling economy, that now those workers' rights might have prevented his being so summarily kicked to the curb without so much as an old-age pension.

Upon hearing of Jiro's and my engagement, a donnybrook ensued about the celebration. No matter that having parties isn't done in Sunset Valley. Undoubtedly cowardly of me, but I couldn't face the drama and acrimony. We eloped over the weekend, just the two of us, at our favourite secluded beach spot.

I'm pregnant already! Jiro and I are both over the moon about it!

In her excitement about a grandchild, Mother has forgiven us for cheating her of a wedding celebration.

Hayley has no shortage of opinions about the rearing of said child. I shouldn't be so snide; honestly, I try not to.

I actually admire her tremendously; she's unrepentantly sui generis. While most of us bend ourselves into pretzel shapes to accommodate one another, she presumes that the world at large will supply whatever bending and accommodation might be necessary. I could only dream of being so bold.

Age hasn't curbed any of her old tricks.

She and Anders seldom speak; they've long since stopped sharing a bed.

Mother and Daddy are a good bit chummier; in this crowded space, there are moments of TMI.

Harald arrived on schedule, healthy and howling. With doting parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, he'll no doubt be spoilt beyond repair.

Varland Story - Chapter 9 - Zeline

OMG, I am so totally morto!!! Jiro was visiting last night and Daddy caught us flirting...

So he actually asked Jiro his intentions! News flash: Jiro and I have only been together since third grade!

I'm worried about my cousin, Doogie; he's taken to playing ball with Grandmother's ghost. The boy's brilliant, but he really, really needs to get a life!

Aunt Hayley nearly got arrested demonstrated for workers' rights in front of City Hall. Uncle Anders was livid!

Doogie took advantage of the chaos to sneak Elizabeth into his room, but, being Doogie, he fell asleep while she was doing homework.

Mother says they've opened the Doomsday Vault at the lab and actually have a few plants growing in the greenhouse! Heavily guarded under lock and key of course. There are bogus plants all over town but I'd love to see a real one someday! Daddy says Grandmother used to tell him of a time when there were so many plants that people pulled up and disposed of the ones they didn't want!

Jiro understands how I feel about plants.

Aunt Hayley gets bored when I go on and on about them.

Doogie got on cleaning bedpans at Sacred Spleen today. He wants to be a doctor; I'm sure he'll be an excellent one!

I've gotten on at Landgraab with Mother! Right now I'm just a test subject but I'm studying hard and hope to have clearance for the greenhouse someday.

Jiro and I got engaged this evening, at our favourite spot on the beach! I am in Heaven!!!

Varland Story - Chapter 8 - Anders

Life goes on. That in itself is a victory. So I tell myself. We can usually keep hot dogs on the table. Sushi as well, when someone finds time to fish.

The plumbing keeps clogging.

Hayley keeps flirting.

Zeline's brought home a new playmate.

Jorgen and Zeline are close and he's friendly with Jiro as well; otherwise he doesn't seem to have friends. His marks remain stellar but I want him to be happy as well as successful.

Today Neil announced the formation of a fully functional police force. The mob's grip is loosening at last. Random violence in the streets is no longer tolerated; it's now safe for youngsters and elders to go outdoors.

The fire department is up and running as well. Accidents with the grill have been a frequent consequence of annoying the mob. Accident or retribution, it was Neil's heroics that saved us from homelessness and perhaps death a few years ago. Many families haven't been so fortunate. I've installed an alarm.

Jorgen is growing into a fine young man. He brought a young lady home from school today. There's hope for him yet.

Zeline has grown into quite a young lady as well; she's a ringer for her grandmother. She loves the outdoors, so now that it's safe to do so, I take her fishing occasionally. There'll be sushi on the table tonight!

The supermarket opened for business today and had hamburger for sale! It's merely a modus vivendi; so long as the Danegeld is paid each week, the shops are permitted to operate. The day will come when we break the back of the mob once and for all!