It’s been a few hours since Alida, her baby, and boyfriend left for Sulani. Lea will be forever grateful to them for allowing her this opportunity to house sit, which gives her a roof over her head long enough for her to finally secure a job and become self-sufficient.
She never told Leelee, but Lea was released from the half-way home a few days ago and spent the time since then sleeping wherever she could find a safe place to lay her head. Last night…that place was a park bench. Now she’s happy to be indoors in a real house…safe from the summer desert heat.
Lea turns off the TV and goes into the bedroom. This is the nicest place she’s been in since…probably ever. She thanks God that Leelee was too little to remember some of the filthy, rat and roach-infested places they were forced to stay in after Leelee’s father died. Alan Tate…that was his name. They were married less than a year before he died the same way he lived…hard and fast. Alida wasn’t even born yet.
Lea never really told Alida about her father, because there really isn’t much to tell. He was a hustler…he made money any way he could- just like she did. It led him to his death and it led her to spend the majority of her life in prison. That’s not the sort of legacy you want for your child…so she keeps Alan’s name and story to herself. Maybe Alida can fill in the blanks for herself with whatever fantasy she can come up with. A made-up story has to be a lot better than the truth…at least in this case.
Her only prayer is that Leelee’s life continues down an altogether different path. Lea knows that she created a huge rift in her relationship with her daughter when she stopped allowing her to visit her in prison. But she had her reasons. And it looks as though it paid off. Alida was raised by a wonderful lady…Nadine Fuller – a respected figure within the community. Alida learned values and a way of living that she herself could never have taught her. Being in prison was the hardest thing Lea has ever had to survive, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Maybe the cycle of hard living in their family can end here.
Lea sighs and takes another look at a previously read message on her phone. It’s from a counselor at the employment agency in Strangerville. One of the jobs that she applied for finally came through. She’s been hired as a shelf stocker at The Buy Mart Shack. It doesn’t pay very much, but it’s something. When Lea first received the message…she thought about ignoring it or simply deleting it. She’s never really worked for anyone else before. The thought of doing so for the first time at her age scares her.
But there’s one thing that keeps her from refusing the job…hope. She hopes that taking this job will be the first step towards her becoming someone her daughter can finally be proud of. Maybe it’ll erase the disapproval she sees in Alida’s eyes every time she looks at her. Maybe…but for now, it’s the wee hours of the morning and she’s tired.
Lea doesn’t even bother removing her clothes or crawling up under covers. She lies down right on top of the comforter and falls asleep in probably the most comfortable bed she’s ever slept on in her entire life.
We arrive at Q’s parents’ house the next morning on “Sun”-Day. Q’s still exhausted from last night and I don’t think he enjoyed the plane ride very much. I’m a bit tired too, but I’m too excited to be experiencing so many new things to show it. This was my first time flying and being anywhere besides the Del Sol, Oasis Springs and Strangerville deserts. I’m just happy that Peri is already getting opportunities that I never had.
I have to admit that I’m nervous as I walk up the path to greet Q’s mother, who’s standing on the porch waiting for us. As expected, she greets her son with a big hug. I sort of just stand there awkwardly holding Peri. I don’t know if she’ll expect a hug from me as well or not. What’s the protocol in these sorts of situations? Do you hug someone who just offered to let you stay in paradise for the entire summer for free…even though you don’t really know them?
Alice: *to Q* Your father’s out back…go let him know you all made it.
Q enters the house to find his dad. I err on the side of caution and remain in place. Alice doesn’t make a move to hug me, so I don’t either.
Alice: How was the flight?
Alida: It was a bit scary at first. It was my first flight so I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was sort of fun once we were in the air.
Alice: Your first flight? Interesting. How did Peri do?
Alida: She slept almost the whole time.
Alice: That’s my girl. Come on inside so I can show you where you’ll be sleeping.
Q steps out to the back porch and admires the view for a bit before spotting his dad.
Quincy Jr.: What’s up pop?
Quincy Sr.: You made it! Have a drink with me son.
Quincy Jr.: This early?
Quincy Sr.: Yeah…your mom has been driving me nuts since the sun came up – believe me…I deserve a drink. *hands Q a glass*
Alice leads me into the house and takes me to a room on the left.
Alice: Peri will be sleeping in here.
It’s a big nice room with enough beds for two other children.
Alida: All by herself?
Alice: Yeah…she’ll be fine. Let her play…I’ll show you where you and Q will be.
I put Peri down near some toys that are just begging to be played with, in the middle of the room.
I watch her for a few moments. Once I’m satisfied that she’ll be okay…I follow Alice to the next bedroom.
Alice: This was Q’s room when he was a teen.
Alida: *surprised* Q’s room?
Alice: He didn’t tell you? We’ve visited Sulani almost every summer since our children were little. This was a summer rental before we made an offer to buy it. We were very lucky the owners were willing to sell. I guess they just got tired of the up-keep. I can definitely understand that. Peri’s room is where Sophia usually stays, but she decided not to join us this year – something about starting a new job and not wanting to ask for time off.
Alice: *continues* Well, that’s it. Make yourself at home and get yourself some rest. I’ll keep an eye on Peri for you.
Alida: Thanks…
Alice leaves the room and I sit down on the bed. So…this isn’t the first time Q has been to Sulani. I can’t believe that he and his parents spent summers here as he was growing up. I don’t know exactly why that bothers me so much, but it does. Maybe because I’m feeling slapped in the face with his family’s wealth again. And I guess I thought that this trip was something that we’d be experiencing for the first time together. I know my assumptions are not on him…but I still feel a bit of resentment towards him when he enters the room a few minutes later.
Alida: You didn’t tell me that you’ve been coming here since you were a kid.
Quincy: I didn’t think it was a big deal.
Alida: It’s a very big deal. It’s not something that everybody just gets to do.
Quincy: Oh
Q never looks up from his drink and from his indifferent ‘oh’, I can tell that Q’s not very interested in talking about it.
His next words confirm it…
Quincy: Well, I’m tired and I’m going to get some sleep, so…
I take the hint and get up. I’m tired too, but I’m not quite ready to go to bed. I take off the lei and leaf bracelet that they put on me when I first arrived and leave the room to check on Peri.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
