March 3: Has Mom jumped the shark?

I wonder if Mom has jumped the shark.
I read in the papers that she took full legal custody of my little cousin, Uncle Bassy's daughter Kaydence, who's now 13.

What I've heard and read is that Kaydence is extremely smart.  She scored in the 2000s on her college admissions test, at age thirteen.   (The max is 2400, which puts that in perspective.) That score is higher than any of our scores, and we were high school seniors when we took the test.  Mom now has her taking college-level courses at the university.  I've heard that she reads everything she could put her hands on, and she is writing a series of books based on a futuristic utopia she created.

The other thing I've heard that's incredibly stunning to me, is that she and my sister, Sierra, are pals and hang out a lot.

You've got to understand something about my sister.  My sister is a loner, she pretty much hates everyone.  So to see her connect like she has with Kaydence is unusual, indeed.

This move by mom came without warning, and even my dad seems blindsided by it.  But that is mom, though.  When she wants something, she gets it - no matter what.  I always admired that about her.

For one thing, I'm seeing stuff I've NEVER seen out of mom before.  Mom giving hugs and kisses freely?  Even when we were young, she never did stuff like that.  I wanted her to, but I accepted that she was more cerebral.  Dad was the one doling out the affection.

This mom is a completely different person - and I'm not sure I can get used to it. Kaydence has brought something out of her that I've never seen before.

I've spent most of my time lately in Appaloosa Plains with Kyle establishing our organic farm and our home for troubled youth, but I've been keeping up with the events in Sunset Valley through frequent phone calls, emails, and texts.

I've only met Kaydence twice, but I've heard from multiple people that she is very, very bright.  I've also heard that she's been hanging out with Sierra - Sierra, of all people.

Kaydence's mother, the international pop star Madison Avenue, has had little to do with her since Uncle Bassy won custody.  I can't imagine casting your own child away. 

I've also heard that Kaydence is an aspiring writer.  Which explains, at least at some level, her connection with Mom.  Our family continues to make writers, artists, and musicians.

 

Sometimes I wonder why my mom decided to do this.  But then I realize in my mind that the main reason is my uncle Bassy.  I mean, the guy, I love him to pieces, but he was not ready to be a dad.  

 

My uncle is still basically a kid himself.  And I don't mean physically.  (Yes in that pic he was temporarily turned bright pink by one of Kaydence's science experiments, from what I understand)

He left Sunset Valley and became a massive film star, before it all went south for him.  His fans still recognize him as 'that guy who was in those movies.'

The day Jazz Lyric came home from the hospital, we had a get-together at his rental.  And Uncle Bassy was the one kicking my brother AJ's butt in Madden football.

Oh, I fibbed.  I met Kaydence a third time, at that get-together for her half-brother.

Kaydence was talking randomly about constellations over Uncle Bassy's key lime pie.  (Another thing about Uncle Bassy is he is a fabulous cook)