#character: zelie santoro

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From the webpage of Happy Tails Dog Rescue

Meet Shadow, a 3-year-old German shepherd! This sweet boy’s favorite thing is BALLS! He will fetch just about all day. He would make a great jogging partner too. After a good workout, though, he is all about the snuggles! He especially loves to have his belly rubbed.

Shadow is gentle with kids of all ages and would make a great family dog. He does need a home without cats or small animals, and also needs to be the only dog. He also seems to have issues around men with full beards. If you think you could be the right family for this lovebug, please call or text us!!

Gia: Mom went and got a dog for the kids

Gia: It's a black mangy mutt. I don't get why they're so obsessed with it

Justin: Trying to bribe them so they will want to live with her no doubt!!! My lawyer said she would try this!!!

Justin: And a black dog at that. Shameful!!!

Justin: Don't worry, Gigi. I'm getting you out of there

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Saturday, 10:17 am - Home of Claire Newton, Chestnut Ridge

Claire: Leo, do you want to play with some of these toys? I got them just for you!

Leo: Nooo! I want Mommy!

Claire: I promise you'll see Mommy again soon! But until then, we are going to have sooo much fun together, okay?

Leo: [screeches]

Justin [offscreen]: Boys! Get down here! We have altar server training at church in 45 minutes.

Max: 45 minutes? But that's when my soccer game is! Coach thinks I'm gonna be there, and he'll kill me if I don't show up!

Justin [offscreen]: And that's why I don't want you around that coach of yours! If he thinks you should miss an important church event for a silly little game, he doesn't have his head screwed on straight. Downstairs! Now!

Zelie: Miss Claire? Daddy says you have a horse. Can I please, please, please ride it? My friend Emily and me had a pony party for our birthday and it was the best thing ever.

Claire: I've got a better idea! My dad has a lot more horses at his house, and my sister is really good at teaching kids how to ride. How about you get some jeans on, and we can head over there while your dad and brothers are at church. Gia, does that sound okay with you?

Gia: I don't have time for things like that. I'm working on a big project for my confirmation class. Besides, Father Crane says that ladies shouldn't ride horses.

Claire: Okay...well, will you be all right staying here alone if I take Zelie and Leo? You have my number, and I can give you the one for my dad's house --

Gia: Sure, whatever.

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Monday, 10:05 am - Chambers of Judge Shirley F. Turner

Judge Turner: I'm going to ask you some questions about your mom and dad. There are no right or wrong answers, as long as you're honest with me. Okay?

Judge Turner: Tell me about getting ready for school in the morning. What's your favorite food to eat for breakfast?

Zelie: Waffles! With strawberries and also a lot of syrup. Do you like waffles?

Judge Turner: I do! So who makes the waffles when you have those for breakfast?

Zelie: My mom. She makes all our food. And she helps us get dressed and makes sure our homework is in our backpacks and stuff.

Judge Turner: And what about after school? Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

Gia: I play the violin for the school orchestra. And I'm in our church's youth group, and a junior member of the Ladies' Altar Guild.

Judge Turner: Who drives you to youth group or violin lessons?

Gia: One of our family friends, usually. Sometimes my mom. But don't think I'm saying my dad is lazy, because he's not. He has to work on his podcast. Now that he's not an engineer anymore, he has even more time to do that.

Judge Turner: What's something you like to do with your mom?

Ambrose: I like it when we read together! She reads to me and Zelie and sometimes Max every night, and we all take turns picking the book.

Judge Turner: What are your favorite books?

Ambrose: Well...the Henry Puffer books. My dad says we shouldn't read them because they have witchcraft, but mom says it's okay as long as we know they're just pretend.

Judge Turner: What's something you like to do with your dad?

Max: Uhhh....I guess fishing. But we don't get to do it much. Dad spends most of his time hanging out at church or working on his podcast. When he goes fishing, he says he doesn't want us around.

Judge Turner: One last question. Imagine if I told you that you were going to live with just your dad. How do you think your mom would feel about that?

Zelie: She would be really, really sad. And I would too.

Ambrose: She would be sad, and maybe kind of scared.

Max: I think she would be really mad at you.

Gia: She would be upset, because she wants us all for herself. My dad's just trying to do his job as a father, and he doesn't like it when people won't let him.

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Thursday, 3:46 pm

Zelie: Mr. Zahid…I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!

Zahid: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down a second, kiddo. What’s going on?

Zelie: I was in the bathroom and the sink started squirting water and I know I broke it and I’m SO sorry and please don’t yell at me and I know that you’ll never ever let me come to your house again and—

Zahid: Zelie, honey, take a deep breath for me, okay? You said the sink’s squirting water? Let’s go upstairs and take a look. I bet we can fix it.

Zahid: See? Good as new. This is an old house, so stuff breaks like this all the time. I’ve gotten pretty good at fixing it.

Zelie: …So you’re not going to yell at me? And I can come back to your house again?

Emily: You have to let her come back, Daddy! She’s my best friend in the whole wide world and if you don’t let her come back I’ll—

Zahid: Of course you can come back, Zelie. Miss Ayla and I are happy to have you here any time. And I bet I know someone else who's okay with you coming over, too.

Emily: Daddy! [to Zelie] Wanna go finish our puzzle?

Zelie: 'Kay!

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From Taylor’s prayer journal:

God, God, what have I done? I feel like I’m destroying my kids. I was dreading telling them about the divorce, but after all the drama at their school on Monday, I couldn’t hold off any longer. And they’re not taking it well at all.

Gia told me that I’m making the biggest mistake of my life, leaving a good, Godly man like her dad. She said she doesn’t want to live with me, and that she’ll run away and live with Justin if she has to.

Ambrose and Zelie absolutely melted down when they heard that. Zelie told Gia that she can’t leave, because Daddy already left and her whole family will be broken if her sister leaves too. Ambrose even said that he’ll be good and stop reading the books his dad doesn’t like if that will make him come home. I had no idea Justin was threatening to burn the Henry Puffer books he’s been borrowing from Poppy. God, I’m a terrible mom.

Max’s soccer coach called yesterday to tell me he got a red card for spitting on another kid during the game. He was nice about it—he said he understood what’s going on with us and just wanted me to be aware—but it’s so embarrassing to have your kid act like that.

And Leo has decided that I have to be in his line of sight every. single. second. If I’m not, he screams bloody murder. He’s really too big for the pack n' play, but I've been putting him in there because it's the only chance of getting him to sleep. Even then, it only works half the time. And I need sleep — the first trimester exhaustion is even worse than usual this time. Not to mention the morning sickness.

Oh, God, I know I couldn’t take it if I had to have Justin around any longer. I know this needs to happen. But I feel like I’ve ruined my kids’ lives. Please, please take this pain away. Please make it easier on them.

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From Taylor's Simstagram (@.taylor.grace):

We just got back from a screen-free weekend in Granite Falls. It was such a blessing to take some time away from our devices and focus on each other. I did break out my camera to take some campfire photos, but for the most part we spent our time playing games, admiring the beautiful scenery, and just enjoying each other's company.

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Friday, 8:47 pm

Taylor: Welcome home. Finally.

Justin: What’s your problem? I was just at a business meeting.

Taylor: I go to a lot of business meetings too, Justin. But they’ve never involved going on Simstagram and posting photos that makes it look like I was on a bad first date instead. Which is what your "business contact" just did, by the way.

Taylor: And you know what else I've never done at a business meeting? I've never ignored an emergency text or call from you. And I’ve never forgotten about our children!

Justin: You can't expect me to pay attention to your stupid little whims when I’ve got important work to do. You're just overreacting, like a typical female. And for your information, it was a lunch meeting, and I haven't had dinner yet. I think it's time for you to make me some.

Taylor: You know what I think it's time for, Justin? I think it's time for you to get out of my house.

Justin (offscreen): What the hell do you mean, get out of your house? I made the money for the goddamn down payment while you were playing with your silly little videos!

Taylor (offscreen): And those silly little videos have been paying the mortgage and all the other bills ever since you got yourself fired! Not to mention that I'm the one who cooks and cleans and takes care of the kids!

Justin (offscreen): Oh, you do? Then why is the house such a shitty mess? And why are the kids always parroting some secular liberal crap? I should take them and go someplace where people really believe in the teachings of the Church and they won't get all of this woke nonsense. Like Chestnut Ridge. At least that way I’d have somebody to back me up in raising them right!

Taylor: If you want to go to Chestnut Ridge, fine. You can leave tonight. But if you want to take the kids, my lawyer will have something to say about that.

Justin: Lawyer? You're making the biggest mistake of your life, woman.

Taylor: No, Justin. The biggest mistake of my life was marrying you.

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Saturday, 10:47 am - Granite Falls

Zelie: Do the people whose house this is have a doggie? They have a food bowl and lots of toys.

Taylor: I guess they do, sweetie. Lots of people like to bring their dogs when they go camping.

Zelie: Can we get a dog, Mom? Please?

Taylor: Well...now isn't a good time. But someday we will. I promise.

Ambrose: Really? But Dad doesn't like dogs. You always said he wouldn't let us have one in the house.

Taylor: I know, sweetheart. But sometimes these things change.

Max: Hey, Mom, they have a foosball table upstairs! I've been wanting to try one out for forever!

Zelie: I wanna play too!

Taylor: Well, this is our place for a few days! Go try it out if you want! Ambrose, do you want to play too?

Ambrose: ...No thank you.

Ambrose: M-mom? What's going on?

Taylor: What do you mean? One of my sponsors offered me a vacation, and I wanted to share it with my five favorite people. There's nothing wrong with that.

Ambrose: But Dad left last night, and then we came here without him. And now you're saying we can get a dog even though I've asked a million times and you always said no before. I-I want to ask something, but...

Taylor: You can ask me anything, baby. I promise I won't get mad.

Ambrose: ...Are you and Dad getting a divorce?

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Friday, 5:56 pm

Taylor: Thank you so, so much for getting the kids. Justin said he’d be back from San Myshuno by 2 or so, but I guess he got…tied up.

Zelie: Hi, Mom! Did Aunt Kelly have her baby yet?

Taylor: Not yet, sweetheart. Uncle Alan is with her now. We're not going home just yet - why don’t you go play with Emily for a few more minutes?

Zelie: Okay! We made a fort in the rec room. Will you come see before we leave?

Taylor: You bet, kiddo. I just need to talk to Miss Ayla for a few minutes.

Ayla: How’s Kelly doing?

Taylor: She was okay when I left. It’s early, but she’s far enough along that the baby should be okay. They were thinking of inducing her soon, anyway, since her blood pressure was starting to spike again.

Ayla: I’m glad to hear that. Let me know if you hear anything else from Alan - I don't want to bug him, but of course I'm worried about her. Was that what you wanted to talk about?

Taylor: Well...no. Listen, I need to make an important phone call. Incredibly important. And I need there to be absolutely no chance that Justin or the kids could overhear. Can-can I do it here?

Ayla: Absolutely. Go on up to our room - I'll keep everybody downstairs so no one can hear you.

Ayla: And Tay? I don't know who you're calling, but if you're that nervous about Justin hearing, you should probably delete the call from your history. Just in case he decides to go through your phone.

Taylor: Good idea. I'll be back in a few minutes.

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Friday, 4:15 pm - St. Petronella School

Ambrose: Zelie? Will you tell me if you see Dad's car coming?

Zelie: Okay! Are you reading another book he doesn’t like?

Ambrose: Yeah, the last Henry Puffer book.

Ambrose: Dad did a big podcast about how kids should never read Henry Puffer because it has witchcraft. Some people even burned the books when they first came out. I don’t know for sure that Dad would do that, but I don’t want to take chances. Poppy let me borrow this, and she needs it back.

Zelie: But all that stuff is just pretend, right? Nobody really thinks wizards are real. Doesn’t Dad know that?

Ambrose: …I hope he does, but I don’t know.

Ayla: Hey there, guys. What are you still doing here? I thought your mom would have picked you up by now.

Zelie: Mom called the school and said she’s at the hospital with Aunt Kelly. Dad is supposed to pick us up, but he isn’t here yet.

Ayla: Well, it’s getting late. Just about all of the teachers have headed out, and it's not safe for you to be here alone. Let me give your dad a call.

Meanwhile…

Claire: I could talk to an interesting person like you for hours. Wouldn't you like to have another drink?

Justin: Why not? I don’t have anywhere I need to be.

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Sunday, 1:32 pm

Zelie: Mommy, can we do waffles after every time we got to church? Please?

Taylor: Hmm...I wasn't planning on it, but that's actually a pretty good idea! It'll give us something to look forward to, at least.

Zelie: Yay, waffles!

Max: Mom, I know it's important to go to church...but does it have to be at St. Petronella's? Nobody understands what's going on.

Gia: You're not supposed to understand it! You're just supposed to focus on the beauty and mystery. Besides, you'd understand at least some of the Latin if you paid more attention in Ms. Lim's class.

Max: Nuh-uh! I pay attention every day, but the only thing I know in Latin is "Caecilius est in horto." And that's about some guy being in a garden. It doesn't have anything to do with church.

Taylor: Sweetie, we do have to keep going to St. Petronella's, at least for a little while. But I do understand what you're saying. I'm going to go online and look for some missals for you kids.

Max: A missile? Like a bomb?

Ambrose: It's a little book that has all the prayers and stuff written out. Right, Mom?

Taylor: That's right, sweetie. I'll get some so you can follow along and read the prayers that Father Crane is saying. That will make things better for all of us. Hopefully.

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From Taylor’s Simstagram (@.taylorgrace):

Happy 6th birthday to Zelie Rose! This little girl is such a sweet, cheerful soul. She sings whenever she can, loves her piano lessons, and wants to try playing the organ when she's tall enough for her feet to reach the pedals!

Zelie's sweet friend Emily has a birthday the week after hers, so we decided to have a joint party! Emily loves outdoor activities and was eager to try horseback riding, while Zelie asked for "a unicorn, or another animal with one horn." Thanks to Pat's Pony Parties for making all their birthday dreams come true!!!! #sponsored

@.inkspirations: Emily had the time of her life! Thank you so much! <3

@.kelly.moreno: Thanks for inviting us! Brielle would have been OBSESSED with this when she was 6!

@.quotidianum: How much did that ridiculous horse cost?

@.inkspirations: @.quotidianum: Really? It’s your little girl’s birthday. And besides, just look at the hashtag!

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From Justin's Simstagram account (@.quotidianum):

Ready to go out and stand up for the RIGHT TO LIFE!!! My two youngest do not yet have the fortitude to stand in protest all day (and I'm certainly not carrying them!), so they will remain at home with a babysitter. But they are still sporting the pro-life shirts I purchased from a God-honoring Plopsy shop!

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From Taylor's Simstagram (@.taylorgrace):

First day of school photos are always bittersweet—I can't believe how much my kids are growing! Gia is in seventh grade, starting her two years of confirmation prep. Max is switching classes for the first time as a fifth grader, and Ambrose has joined my sweet friend Kelly in the third grade! As for Zelie, you would not believe how thrilled this little one is to be starting kindergarten! She was literally vibrating with excitement this morning!

Catholic school is definitely an expense, and I sometimes get questions from other mamas asking if it's worth it. My answer is a wholehearted YES! There is nothing better than knowing that my babies are in an environment where they are supported, loved, and growing in their faith!

From Taylor's prayer journal:

Lord, sending my kids off for another year at St. Petronella's makes me think of how awful it would feel to disrupt their lives. They have friends, they seem to enjoy what they're studying...and more than anything, I know they're safe. But my lawyer can't guarantee that I'll be able to keep them in the same house and the same school if I leave Justin. I’ll try my best, but...will my kids still be okay in a different school? Will they hate me for destroying everything they know?

I'm not as naive as I was when I first thought about divorce, Lord. I know Justin doesn't want to change—he made that clear when he lost his mind about the possibility of counseling. But even if things aren't going to get better, I don't want them to get worse. I feel so stuck. Please show me what will be best for my children, and give me the courage to act on it.

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11:01 am, First Sunday of Advent

[congregation attempting to sing "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" even though nobody speaks Latin]

Alan: This is a disaster. Nobody has a clue what's going on, and he's probably going to take out half the congregation with all the incense he's using.

Kelly [whispering]: That might be true, but we're still in church. You can vent later, okay?

Zelie: Mommy, why aren't we singing the right words to this song? And why is there so much smoke? Is the church on fire?

Taylor: Shhh. Everything's fine - just sit still like you always do in church. If you behave, I'll make some waffles when we get home.

Zelie: With whipped cream?

Taylor: Yes. But you have to be as quiet as a little mouse, okay?

Zelie: Okay. But Mommy? I still think we should sing the right words.

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Friday, 7:46 am

Justin: Zelie, tell Daddy's viewers what he's going to do in San Myshuno today.

Zelie: Get cupcakes!

Justin: No, no, no. First, we're going to protest against the very bad people in the government and at the hospitals. And THEN, when we've done our duty, we'll celebrate by going to Uptown Cupcakes, and Daddy will bring one home for you.

Zelie: Yay, cupcakes! I want a strawberry one!

Taylor: Justin...are you sure you should be using our kids for content like this? First you put Gia in your videos, and now Zelie...I'm not sure it's healthy.

Justin: Well, you're one to talk! You've been posting pictures of our kids on your Simstagram account for years!

Taylor: I know, but this feels different to me. Everyone takes pictures of their kids, and lots of people post them online—I just happen to have a bigger following than most moms. But you're basically making them perform for the camera. It just seems—

Justin: What it seems like is that you're picking on me for doing the same thing that you've been doing for years!

[doorbell rings]

Taylor: There's Eleanor. I've got to get cleaned up for my sponsor meetings. But we should talk about this later.

Justin: There’s nothing to talk about. You’re just being selfish and hypocritical.