Post-divorced re-married life was much different for Tyler and Allyson than pre-divorced married life; It was a much calmer and more content life. It was not the tumultuous yet passionate relationship the couple had once had but a more mature and loving one. Even with several teenagers in the house, Tyler and Allyson felt more settled. For the first time in their relationship, both Tyler and Allyson were both happy and satisfied.
Sadly, Tyler and Allyson only had a few months of marital bliss. Soon after Allyson’s birthday, she passed away. Tyler mourned his wife, as did their teenage children. Tyler was now a single father with moody teenagers to care for.
Nonetheless, the children were growing up. Cindy got a boyfriend named Bradley, and Leanna continued her friendship with Antwan, who had been her best friend since childhood. Tyler suspected that Leanna and Antwan had secret feelings for each other, but knew to just let their relationship develop naturally.
“I love that leather jacket on you,” Leanna said flirtatiously.
“I like your jacket too,” Antwan said, flattered.
“Have you played Grand Theft Llama yet?” Leanna asked, excited to have a friend who shared her interest in video games.
“Yeah, it’s great!” Antwan said happily.
Leanna and Antwan continued to be friends, and kept their feelings for each other hidden. Leanna did not quite know how to flirt, and Antwan was oblivious to any of Leanna’s efforts. They were both happy to be friends with the possibility of a relationship in the future. For now, they were still the best of friends.
Ethan was very social and popular. He was a party animal and loved to make friends. He believed himself to be very popular with the ladies as well, but claimed that he had yet to find the right one.
Johnny, on the other hand, was less social. He, like his older sister Shirley, had developed quite the green thumb. He spent most of his time gardening and was a bit shy, but also had a goofy nature that made him very well-liked.
Cindy and Leanna were very close. They both had distinct styles, and each admired the other very much. Leanna admired Cindy’s beautiful dyed hair and ripped jeans along with her bro-like personality. Cindy loved sports and video games, and was also a bit of a slob. She was one-of-the-guys, and everyone admired her laidback nature. Cindy admired Leanna’s leather jacket, red fishnets, and beanie that made her style so unique. She also admired her excellent cooking and ambition to become a chef. Leanna loved video games and technology, so the two spent hours discussing the latest games. The two sisters were best friends and loved each other for their differences and similarities.
Cindy became an adult, and like her mother, was very passionate and romantic. She married her high school sweetheart, Bradley and moved out. Everyone missed Cindy, especially Leanna, but everyone was glad that she had found happiness.
Sadly, more changes in the McEntire household followed. Alex, who had lived there for his entire life and had become a very successful painter, collapsed in front of the tv right before he was about to leave for work.
Tyler grieved his son, and he still grieved his wife, although sometimes he would talk to her ghost in the middle of the night.
“I love you, Tyler. I wish we had had more time together, so I could prove how steady my love could be,” Allyson’s ghost said with a sad smile.
“I love you too, Allyson,” Tyler responded taking her hands. “We will have all eternity together soon.” Allyson smiled at him, and he smiled back. He still had teenagers to raise, but he knew that in a few years, he would be ready to be with his wife.
Unfortunately, another death was to follow. Shirley, never able to refuse a piece of cake, let her appetite get the best of her and took the cake from the tongue of the cow plant.
Johnny couldn’t help but feel responsible for Shirley’s death. The cowplant was his, and although he loved it very much, he had forgotten to feed it that day. He felt very guilty for letting the cowplant devour his older sister and weeped as the Grim reaper took Shirley’s soul.
“It’s all my fault,” he cried in despair. Shirley had lived with him his whole life and had mentored him in gardening. She had such a cheerful disposition and big heart, and he admired her skills as a gardener very much. “It’s all my fault,” he repeated through his tears. The cowplant burped in satisfaction and then looked at it’s owner with an expression of guilt. “It’s ok, Cowbert. You were just following your instincts,” Johnny said wiping his eyes. He could have sworn that under the black cowl, the grim reaper was smirking. “Goodbye, Shirley,” Johnny said sadly.
Johnny felt terrible for months, and spent a lot of time gardening and mourning his older sister. When he finally started to feel better, he noticed Isla. Isla was a friend of Ethan’s, and Johnny suspected that Ethan was trying to win her affections. Isla occasionally flirted with Ethan after he had made the first move, but their relationship never seemed to get serious. Johnny thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and for a long time, he watched from afar.
It was not until several months into his brother’s attempted relationship that Johnny managed to talk to Isla. He started when he walked into the study and found her sitting at the chess table looking sad and pensive.
“Hi!” he blurted out when he saw her.
“Oh, hi Johnny,” Isla said giving him a sad smile. Even when she was sad, he thought she was beautiful.
“What’s wrong?” Johnny asked taking a seat at the chess table. Isla sighed.
“It’s just that...well, Ethan keeps asking me to get serious with him, but there’s something that stops me,” Isla explained. Johnny couldn’t help but brighten up when he heard this. “I just can’t see myself being with him - or him being with me, you know? I guess I just feel like he doesn’t take me seriously. He’s always flirting with other girls, and sometimes I think he’s obsessed with popularity...I guess I just need someone a little more down to earth…” Isla sighed. “Well, I better go tell him I just want to be friends.” Johnny sat there while Isla walked down the hall. Then he realized it was his chance.
“Isla, wait,” he called, chasing after her. “I know it’s not much, but I just wanted to give you this,” Johnny said handing her a beautiful rose. “I grew it myself.”
“It’s beautiful!” Isla said, taken aback by the kind gesture. She wondered if all this time she had been spending time with the wrong brother.
“I’m not trying to interfere with whatever you have with Ethan. He’s my brother, and I would never want to hurt him. But I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and if it doesn’t work out with him, well, I’ll be here.” Johnny stopped talking and stood there dumbfounded by what he had just said. To his surprise, Isla smiled and kissed him on the cheek. With that, she went off to tell Ethan she just wanted to be friends.
Over the next few months, Johnny and Isla became closer, and Ethan took notice.
“What do you think you’re doing with my girl?” Ethan demanded one evening in the dining room.
“She’s not your girl,” Johnny said, pushing his brother’s jabbing finger away. “I didn’t steal her from you, she just didn’t want to be serious with you!”
“Did you find that out before or after you started flirting with her?” Ethan retorted angrily. Johnny felt guilty for giving Isla the rose, but he did not feel that he had stolen her. She had confided in him that she did not want to be with Ethan, and he had been sympathetic.
“She told me beforehand!” Johnny said defensively. Ethan stood there shaking in anger. “Look, Ethan,” Johnny said backing away from his angry brother. “It just sort of happened...I’m sorry,” Johnny said. “I really like her.” Ethan’s expression softened.
“Didn’t think you had it in you, kid,” Ethan said, punching his brother in the arm playfully but a little too hard. Johnny ignored the fact that his younger brother was calling him “kid.”
“Thanks, Ethan,” Johnny said smiling.
“Yeah, don’t make a big deal out of it. I’ve got my eyes on another girl anyway,” Ethan said, tossing his hair back.
Tyler died of old age after a very long life. Johnny and Ethan were still teenagers, but Leanna had become an adult, so she would take care of her two brothers. Everyone mourned Tyler, and Johnny and Ethan wished he had gotten to see them reach adulthood, but they all knew he was with Allyson.
As her brothers continued to grow up, Leanna’s relationship with Antwan finally flourished. The childhood friendship developed into a romance. Antwan had finally confessed his feelings to Leanna, and she confessed hers in return.
“I never thought as a kid we would actually get together,” Leanna giggled.
“I did. I knew I was going to be with you from the moment I saw you,” Antwan said grinning.
“No, you didn’t,” Leanna said, playfully tapping his arm.
“Fine, the moment after I saw you!” Antwan said laughing.
“Then why didn’t you tell me sooner!” Leanna demanded playfully.
When the boys finally became adults, Leanna moved out to live with Antwan. Only Johnny and Ethan remained. Ethan hoped he would be chosen to continue the legacy. Johnny hoped he would not.
