“Hello and welcome back to the channel, friends! I am your host with the most, Carl Crescent aka, the DIY Guy!” Carl thumbs up to the camera “A little recap that about 90 days ago. We planted potatoes in a bucket and have been caring for them here in the DIY rooftop greenhouse, links in the description for how we got here, and today is the moment of truth. Do we have spuds or duds? As you can see, we have exactly ten chances. So... let’s pray to the Potato Gods and see how blessed we are...” 

He takes the first large bucket and gently uproots the potato plant with his gloved hands while emptying the soil onto a makeshift sieve. He then dusts and spready the soil with one hand and shakes the sieve with the other to slowly reveal the results. 

“Oh, yeah! We got some! Specifically, 1, 2, 3, 4... Well, I’ll let you count, but we’ve got some Yukon gold right here and look at the size of them. Now, this, friends, is a thing of beauty.” Carl presented the large potato in front of the camera before putting it into the now empty bucket “Now, to harvest the other nine, wash them up and see what the total is.” 

He does so on three times the speed while also tallying up his harvest. 

“So we haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave...96 potatoes from ten buckets, people. Hope you were all just as blessed as I was and thank you for joining on this journey. Hope I have inspired you all. I’ll see you all next week on the channel. Next time, we learn how to make a DIY gravy from scratch. No instant packets, no canned stuff and no going back to doing it any other way. Subscribe so you don’t miss it and do be sure to like what I do myself. DIY Guy signing out!” he gestured to the camera and the video ends while one can see that he has thousands of likes already. 

“I think this video might wind up being more popular than green bean video, dad.” Katie said as she helped him wash and dry the potatoes in the large kitchen. 

“More importantly, it was payday today and I’m happy to say that this month’s salary brought us three quarters closer to getting the RV of our dreams, Katie-cake.” he took some of the potatoes and put them in a box labelled “Sarah” “If this keeps up, we’ll have it by August and be able to go camping.” 

Katie’s face lit up, but then went somber just as fast “But... what if mom still says no, dad?” 

“Aw, let’s stay positive. Your mother said she wouldn’t want to sleep in a sleeping bag or in a tent, but an RV is like a hotel room on wheels. It even has a bathroom. I’m sure she’ll be open to that at least.” Carl then finished packing a box labelled “Kim”. 

“I don’t get it, dad. Mom lived in the woods too when she was a kid. Why doesn’t she like going camping too? She doesn’t even like visiting grandpa up at his cabin and farm... Which we haven’t seen in forever.” Katie sighed while facing him. 

Carl knelt to her level “Katie, sometimes, people’s tastes change as they get older. Do you like the things you did when you were five? Also, I don’t think she doesn’t like it altogether and us not being able to go up to grandpa Walt’s cabin for a while isn’t personal. She works at an office as a directorn and she has to travel a lot.” 

“She SAID that she hates going there and still has nightmares about the chickens.” she groaned. 

He rubbed the back of his head “Well, this year, we’re going. Your mother promised that if she had no business trips this summer, she had no business trips, we would go and even spend Canada Day there.” 

Katie smiled at that “Really?” 

“Uh huh. And so far, I haven’t heard any word about a single summer business trip.” he winked which made Katie cheer “Now, let’s finish packing the potatoes, so we make the pie. I promised to teach you how to make it after all. 

Later that day, Katie finishes the ornate top part of the pie crust and her father puts it in the oven before he goes downstairs into the lobby to with a box of potatoes and the mailbox key. 

“Hi, Bob. This is for you.” Carl handed the box to the doorman. 

“Hey, thanks, Carl. And the wife thanks ya for that tip on how to fry chicken the right way.” Bob replied “Speaking of that, your wife is supposed to come home this afternoon, right?” 

“Yeah. She had a business trip in Paris this time.” Carl walked over to the mail lockers and opened his. 

“Ah. Heard it’s beautiful this time of the year. Then again, it’s Paris. When is it not?” Bob put the box behind his desk. 

“Hmm. Flyers, one bill and a package from dad.” Carl narrated “Anyway, I’ll see you later, Bob.” 

“See ya.” Bob waved cheerfully. 

Back up at the penthouse, Katie was putting the finishing touches on the table when Carl walked in with the mail. 

“A package from grandpa!” she jumped with joy “Open it, dad! Open it!” 

“Let me sit down first, Katie-cake.” Carl chuckled as he did so and carefully opened it “And we’ve got... Grandpa’s prize winning jerky, a bottle of maple syrup from the Whitehawks, some fudge for a great report card and... keys?” 

“Awesome! Say, that letter looks weird.” Katie commented while looking at the papers. 

“It’s not a letter. It’s a legal document saying that dad’s cabin is now MINE.” Carl explained. 

Katie panicked “Dad, did grandpa-” 

“No, no, no. He’s fine. Here’s a letter from him, and a picture of him right here which should explain everything.” he showed it to her and read it out loud. 

Dear Carl, Veronia and Katie 

Now that it has been two years since Katrina joined our Lord and Saviour, I am in a much better place though I also decided to go ahead and do what I always thought of doing which was to go on the ultimate North American road trip during my silver years. I am handing the cabin and everything that comes with it to you. I got myself an RV and as you read this letter, I’ve hit the road. 

Please come within the next two weeks to get settled in and to finish the last of the legalities. Apparently, you are required to do some things in person.  The mortgage has been paid off, the tank’s brand new, I’ve replaced the heating and air conditioning myself, the backup generator is a thing of beauty, and there’s even Internet in case Veronica needs it. 

Take good care of the place it always has been your home. 

Dad aka Grandpa Walt 

PS: If your wife acts hardheaded about coming here, come without her. Lord knows, she’s gone on plenty of trips without you. 

“Whoa. Can grandpa really do that? Just give you the cabin and stuff just like that, dad?” Katie raised a brow. 

“Well, yeah. I was in the will to begin with. And hey, this means that we’re going to the cabin for sure now!” he picked her up and twirled her around, but then, for a moment, things looked visibly off with his vision only seeing blue and green while being abnormally bright “Whoa... excuse me, honey. I need to take my dosage. I guess I got a little too excited there.” 

Katie looked at him as he left the dining room and went to the master bedroom then master bathroom to get his medication. It was of the same composition that his brother used to take, but now, it involves injecting oneself. Carl rolled up his left sleeve revealing several injection scars on his arm. He calmly took his dosage while sitting and allowed the medication to work its way through his system. For a moment, all his senses became very dull and felt a strange sensation in his head which made him feel depressed. He got out of the bathroom slowly and walked in the hallway stopping by the picture of his family back when he was a boy. He looked at Harry as he was before he required medication for the hereditary schizophrenia that Carl also inherited. 

He returned to the dining room where Katie had a glass of orange juice ready for him “Thanks, honey.” 

“Dad, does it get easier?” she asked him as he took a sip. 

“Well... you get used to it, but don’t worry. According to grandpa, girls rarely inherit the schizophrenia in our family.” Carl reassured her while smiling. 

“Just... Just don’t leave and never come back like uncle Harry did, dad.” she looked scared. 

“Aw, Katie, that’s not going to happen. What happened to Harry was sad, but not the norm. Also, I make a point of taking my medicine no matter what. I’m never going to wind up lost and even if I do, I promise to come back to you, ok?” Carl reassured her right before the oven timer went off “Ah, the pie’s done.” 

He took it out and placed it on the wire rack to start cooling. 

“Good thing we made ice cream yesterday.” he removed the oven mitts while looking pleased. 

In that moment, Veronica came through the door while talking on her cellphone energetically. She shoved her briefcase, purse and luggage towards her husband and only gave a quick “hi” to Katie while paying no mind to the spread on the table that was made for her as her focus was solely on her call. 

“How was, Paris, mom?” Katie asked smiling. 

“Katie, I’m on the phone.” Veronica replied and headed for the master bedroom. 

Carl put the purse and briefcase down on the easy chair “She just needs to settle in, Katie.” 

Veronica came back in with her high heels and suit jacket off “Carl, we’re going out tonight.” 

“Whoa. You missed me that much?” he raised his brow while grinning. 

“Sigh, I have a business dinner tonight and everyone’s bringing their spouses. Katie, you’re going to stay over at Sarah’s tonight. If not, Sarah’s-” she instructed before turning around again. 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Carl stops her “Timeout. You just got home, honey. Let’s take a breather and talk. Katie really missed you. I get that work is important, but so are we, aren’t we? Also, I have big news.” 

Veronica relented a bit “Honestly, I don’t have much to say about Paris because all I did there was work and the only sights I saw were the office there. Anyway, what’s this big news? You finally got a real job instead of that silly DIY influencer channel, Carl?” 

“Mom, dad’s channel IS a real job! He even makes as much as YOU do!” Katie defended him. 

“Katie, please. It’s ok.” Carl picked up the legal documents, the letter and keys “Dad’s given me the cabin up north. He decided to do finally do that great North American road trip he always said he wanted to do. He even got an RV. Also, we have to go there in two weeks, so I can settle the legal processes behind making it official that the cabin and all the property around it is mine.” 

“Alright. If you need to do this, go.” Veronic shrugged. 

“Actually... I was thinking that we could all go together as a family. Make it into a nice summer vacation. I mean, we haven’t been there in three years, and Katie really wants to go, Veronica.” he confessed. 

“You said we could go if you had no business trips this summer and you don’t, do you, mom?” Katie insisted. 

“Carl, two weeks is extremely short notice for a summer vacation especially up in the woods.” she groaned while crossing her arms. 

“Uh, no offense, honey, but you just sprung a dinner event for adults only on us right now. Besides, it’s only a three-hour drive there. Dad even setup Internet there for us in case we need it.” Carl pointed out. 

“Can we please go, mom? Please?” Katie put her hands together. 

“If you two want to go, you can, but I can’t. As one of the directors, I can’t take vacations. Now, let me go call Katie’s parents to see if they are available.” she explained firmly. 

“But you PROMISED!!” Katie shouted while stomping her foot. 

“Watch your tone, young lady.” Veronica scolded her. 

“You love being around your job than you do us!” Katie then ran to her room slamming the door. 

“Veronica-” Carl began. 

“We can talk later. We have to get ready now, ok? Ok.” Veronica went back to the master bedroom “And tie your hair back! That mullet will not give a good impression! And SHAVE!!” 

Carl shook his head while sighing before following her to get ready. He honoured her wish to shave his stubble and tie his hair back in that manbun he hated so much, but when it came to the outfit she chose, he was not so compliant. 

“What is this pink nightmare?” the baby pink suit jacket with gold accents. 

“What? It’s modern. Besides, I wear blue sometimes and I’m a woman. And did you really shave? I still see stubble.” Veronica replied. 

“You know thick beards run in my family and what’s wrong with my usual suit? I don’t want to wear this, Veronica. It’s... not me.” Carl protested and headed for the closet. 

“Carl, it would really help my image if you dressed the right way.” she got in his way. 

“I will NOT wear something that looks and feels like it’s not even for my age, let alone not everything else about me.” Carl continued. 

“It’s MODERN and just for tonight! I NEED to make a good impression because a client is going to be there!” she insisted. 

“So you want me to put on a show for-ACK!!” Carl put his hands over his ears as he could hear the traffic outside and far down below. 

He had gotten so worked up, he induced an episode, so he rushed to the bathroom to inject himself with a dose and calm down. 

“... Fine. Just for tonight, I’ll wear that stupid jacket, but next time, I’m not even going to tie my hair back.” he resigned.