Vantross Vanishing

Lou Ann Vantross is the matriarch of the fabled Vantross clan. They are without a doubt the richest family in Colonial Village. The Vantrosses are great in number and personality. But let us consider Lou Ann for today...

Lou Ann Cosgrove met Armin Vantross when they were in high school. She was on her way to her favorite class - chemistry - when Armin, the school rich kid, bumped into her and knocked her books to the floor. It was at that moment that Lou Ann knew she'd found the the fire for her bunson burner. Armin was the son of one of Colonial Village's premier architechts and Armin stood to inherit his father's vast fortune. Armin dreamed of traveling the world, and after a few months with Lou Ann, he decided she was just the girl to travel with.

Three months after high school ended for the happy couple, the unthinkable happened. Armin's father and mother were killed in a boating accident. Armin put his travel plans on hold and spent a long time suffering a deep depression. The local papers said things like, "Vantross Heir Set For Life" and "Silver Spoon Need Not Be Removed From This One's Mouth." Armin was mortified by the press and their opinion of him. So despite his inheritence, he married Lou Ann in the Colonial Village courthouse and set about learning his father's business.

Lou Ann and Armin had many happy years in their mansion on the north side of town. They welcomed Conrad almost exactly 9 months after they married. Emmett came next, followed by Adela. Little Lillie, the picture of her father's face, was born a few years later. After twins Savannah and Carolina were born, Lou Ann decided that 6 was enough!

The kids grew and moved on. Soon the first grandchildren came into the family. Life was good and Lou Ann and Armin were happy to be reaching old age together.

In happier times: Lou Ann returning from her job as a top Theorist at SimTech labs.

Armin died on a Tuesday, far earlier than his family expected. Adela and Lillie were still in high school and little Savannah and Caroline had barely learned their multipication tables. Times were so meloncholy.

Armin's death was the worst Lou Ann could imagine for herself.

Lou Ann was on her own for the first time in 50 years once Savannah and Caroline married and moved out. Life was strange and lonely, a hollow husk of what it had been before.

Lou Ann contemplates the "Lonely Woman" statue that rests on her back patio.

Lou Ann sensed her life was on its own downward spiral, so she gathered her family together one last time.

Lou Ann calling her children to her side.

This party would be an opportunity to reflect upon the life she and Armin had built together. Perhaps she might even be reminded of a reason to keep going on...even alone.

Emmett arrived at the party and went directly to the Vantross game room to bowl. No other family in Colonial Village had their own bowling lane and Emmett, having experienced some hardships, was eager to re-live his rich youth. His niece, Lillie's daughter, and his nephew, Conrad's oldest, can be seen here joining him. Emmett was the spitting image of his mother (in her younger days) and Lou Ann often wondered where his well known not-so-nice spirit came from.

Conrad Vantross hated his brother Emmett and strived to be his opposite. He had married soon after leaving his parent's household and had a son and a daughter. Conrad also took over Vantross Arc (his father's company) after his father's death, but the money wasn't rolling in as it once had.

Adela was the spitting image of Lou Ann. Adela had much promise as a young girl, but in her mother's opinion, she married below her means. Now divorced and the mother of two young boys, Lou Ann isn't sure where her daughter's life is headed. She just hopes Adela has some idea.

Lillie was her mother's favorite daughter, though Lou Ann would never admit to that. Lou Ann loved her so much because she reminded her so much of Armin. Lillie had married Jessie Hart, a no name military man, a few years ago and Lou Ann's heart was broken. She had much wealthier hopes for her daughter. Lou Ann and Lillie had recently come to an agreement about Jessie, so Lillie was happy to come to the party with her children. Much to Lou Ann's delight, Jessie stayed home.

Twins Savannah and Carolina were living their lives much like they always had - in conjunction. Both had just married and both were new, first time mothers. They please Lou Ann very much.

Lou Ann was so glad she'd thrown this party. Her family meant so much to her and she was happy to have them all gathered together.

Soon it was late, and with more snow in the forecast, Lou Ann reluctantly insisted everyone go home. As the children and grandchildren left, she thought of Lillie, and she thought of the hope of her family.

Lou Ann sent her trusty man-servant Blake home as well. It would do no good to have the private Lou Ann be snowed in with her butler.

Lou Ann enjoyed some leftovers as she watched that sunset our her kitchen window. She felt content. It had been the first good day she'd had in some time. Her only regret was that Armin had not been with her to witness the joy their union had produced.

The air in the house became chilly, and Lou Ann put on her coat before heading upstairs. But suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. What a peculiar feeling...

Lou Ann became aware that she was not the only person in the room. Lou Ann then became aware that her body was feeling younger than ever. And it scared her. Because she saw the Grim Reaper coming toward her with his sycthe. But why was he wearing a lei? And who the heck were those hula zombies?

"Lou Ann, it is I - the Grim Reaper - be not afraid. Your life was one well spent, and your death shall be a reflection of your good living. My hula zombies and I welcome you to the eternal after party (champagne room to your left). Come, Armin has been waiting for you."

Life was over for Lou Ann, yet somehow it had begun again. Leaving one world behind for another, Lou Ann walked confidently into the shadows.