Our Life 2: Frederick Baumann (Step 2, Sketch) (Patreon)

Well, well, well, look who has decided to show up, and not even in the first Step. It's the other Baumann man of the family. But don't call him Mr. Baumann, that's his father. You can call him Dr. Baumann.

Frederick is Tamarack's father and Ernst and Dorothea's only son. He's got a master's degree and a PhD in physical sciences. He's what you might call a "life-long learner". Frederick is always researching, whether it's for school, his job, or simply to pass the time. And he is extremely independent and self-reliant. He left his family home as soon as he could get into college and has never looked back. His life is his own, as far as he sees it.

Frederick is like if Opa wasn't just a grumbly old man who looked tougher than he was and instead actually wasn't that nice of a guy. He isn't actively mean, but he has no interest in things he has no interest in, not even to be polite. Visiting his aging parents is a chore; Frederick puts it off as long as possible. Though, his mom is unfairly naggy with him and his dad is difficult to connect with. So, there are reasons he believes spending time with them is a fruitless endeavor. Frederick feels as if all that's happening is out of family obligation: he has to put up with people who want his company without having ever understood him. It's been a big disappoint for Omi and Opa to have a tense relationship with their boy.

Of course, that was their history when it was two parents and their son. It's only become more complicated, and more strained, with the creation of Frederick's own family.

He got married and then Tamarack came along. The couple had wanted her. It was their hope to have a true family of their own away from their parents. But that's not how it worked out. Both Tamarack's father and mother chose to pursue time-intensive degrees. They also needed to not completely go broke while doing that. When Tamarack was very small they homeschooled her so they could all work at the house, things could stay focused and together. As Tamarack got older and needed more out of life than just her parents, they didn't have the bandwidth to support her. And, at the very least, they were smart enough to decide Tamarack could spend some time staying with her (mostly) retired paternal grandparents. Omi and Opa didn't need to worry about school or work and were more than happy to shower their granddaughter in attention. How long that was going to last has always changed. Originally, it was only going to be for her final year of elementary school, 5th grade. But we all know that didn't happen. By Step 2 it's been four years since Tamarack began living with her grandparents. Frederick has his PhD at this point and you have to wonder if now is finally when Tamarack and her parents will rekindle their own little family home.

Except not really because Tamarack obviously isn't moving away from Golden Grove halfway through the game, haha.