January - February Birthdays & Anniversaries

 January 2031 - Arcadia, North Carolina

His mom gives him a gift card for his birthday, the gift that James requested from her. He doesn't trust his mom to pick out clothes he would actually wear. So the afternoon of his birthday, he heads out to the mall to try to find the gifts he's looking for.

"These shirts are all kind of meant for old men like our dads," a girl nearby says. 

Happy New Beginnings

November 2030 - Arcadia, North Carolina
Gates household - Nathan is 41, Terri is 41, Phoebe is 19

"So you think that's really what you want to do?" Dee asks one afternoon.

Phoebe nods. "Do you think it will be the wrong path to take? Will it all actually work out?"

November - December 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

“This is not a fun birthday surprise,” Violet says as she scowls at Baine. 

“It’s a day out on the town,” Baine says. “I thought you might enjoy it.”

Planning Secrets

October 2030 - Pine State University - Arcadia, North Carolina
University students: Baine Austin is 22, Yori Hayashi is 21, Violet Craig is 20, Kat Gates is 20

“Can I ask for some advice?” Baine sits at the table across from Kat one morning.

Kat is working one of her assignments from her Genetics and Generations class, but she looks at him with hesitation. Things had been okay between them since last semester, when Baine seemingly became friends with Yori. She still couldn’t believe that had actually happened.

University Distractions

September 2030 - Britechester, Illinois
University students: Ethan Smith is 20, Adam Smith is 20, Charlotte Craig is 20

The second year at college starts for Ethan, Adam, and Charlotte. Adam’s classes this semester are focused on plant growth and biology.

September - October 2030 Birthdays & Anniversaries

The bathroom sink desperately needs cleaning and Andrea can't ignore it anymore. She's near the end of her pregnancy so she needs to get the house spotless before the baby comes and takes up her time.

A Mom's Good Advice

Carrie goes to visit Nathan whenever she has a chance. Her boys may be completely different, but she loves both of them just the same. She misses Nathan since he lives in Arcadia, but at least it isn’t a long trip from Pine Hollow.