After Raul has left…I go to look for Michael. I find him in Mama Nadine’s room rehearsing his lines.
Alida: Hey…want to go to the –
I pause when Michael turns, appearing startled as if I’d just caught him in the nude, and I see that his face is completely made up.
Alida: …gym? Wait…do you have on – make-up?
Michael: *nervous* Just a touch –
I don’t say anything, but for some reason, Michael still feels the need to explain…
Michael: It helps me get into character.
Alida: But…aren’t you playing Walter Lee in the next play?
Michael: Yeah, but – *struggles to find the words* It’s hard to explain. I’ll wipe it off.
Michael steps towards Mama Nadine’s vanity and grabs a facial wipe.
Alida: You can leave it…I don’t mind.
A slight smile spread across Michael’s face but disappears before I can be 100% sure that it was ever there. Michael returns to my initial question as if the rest of the conversation never occurred.
Michael: Yeah…we can go to the gym. Just let me get changed…
Michael grabs a wipe and removes the make-up anyway.
Michael and I enter the kickboxing gym from the backdoor. We consider just jogging around the track, but realize that it’s too hot for that. We go inside where they keep the AC blasting as hard as the music.
Michael: So are we here looking for that snack that you turned down last time?
Alida: What? No! Why would I be looking for him? *slight blush*
It’s a lie. I am sort of hoping to run into Q again so I can apologize and maybe find out his real name. I’m disappointed that he’s not here, but I do try using his suggestion about tightening my gloves and locking my wrists. It works…I’m able to punch for a lot longer than last time.
After a few rounds on the bags, we move over to the exercise machines. I hit the treadmill and Michael attempts the weight machine. After struggling with the lightest weight possible a few times…he gives up and heads to the yoga room.
Michael has once again abandoned me for music and a dance floor. I can’t be too mad though. He’s not into punching bags and weight machines, just like I wouldn’t be caught dead in public trying to dance. I go and work on my legs, while Michael works on some new moves.
Even Michael messes up sometimes. After some very exuberant new dance moves…he ends up poking himself in the eye. He’s pretty much ready to return home after that. Q never shows up, so I’m ready too.
Back at the house, we see smoke coming from behind the garage. Michael and I hurry to see Raul grilling hot dogs.
Michael: Does Mama Nadine know you’re doing that?
Raul: *annoyed by the question* No…I’m surprising her, and it’s a requirement to earn my next scout badge if you really have to know.
I can tell that these two are only a few more words away from getting into it…so once again – I’m their buffer.
Alida: Don’t start, you two! *sits down at the picnic table* Bring ‘em on Raul…I’m starving.
Raul places the hotdogs on the table…then takes a selfie as proof that he’s met the requirement for his badge.
Michael: *grabs a hotdog* Hmmmm – these actually look edible…
Michael: So are you going to let me in on the secret you two seem to insist on sharing?
Raul: No!
Alida: Yeah…Raul found Mama Nadine’s ex-fiancé –
Raul: Dammit Alida –
Alida: …and we’re going to meet with him to find out what happened between them.
Michael: That doesn’t sound like a good idea…
Raul: Neither does your pants, but I kept that to myself.
Michael: *picks up his empty plate and leaves the table* Whatever…do what you want! I want no part of it.
Raul and I argue about whether Michael is right or not before I give up trying to convince him and go inside to do my homework.
The rest of the evening is pretty quiet as we all wind down to complete homework, watch TV or relax. Tomorrow is another holiday and I’m looking forward to it…even though I know so much is going to change for us as soon as it’s over.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
