Q is up and has finished breakfast by the time I wake up the next morning. I have no idea where he gets all of his energy from…but I need some of it.
Alida: Have you gone for your daily jog yet?
Quincy Jr.: No, but I was just about to leave.
Alida: Wait for me…I want to go with you. I just need to pee and eat first.
I know Q likes to get out early and be back quick, but he agrees to wait for me anyway. I appreciate that.
I change into my workout clothes, grab some of the leftover fruit and sit down in the dining room to eat. Alice comes in from outside and approaches me.
Alice: It’s been brought to my attention that I was way out of line yesterday for taking Peri to the beach without you. I want to apologize for that.
So Q spoke to her after all. I appreciate that too.
Alida: I accept your apology.
Although, I accept her apology…I’m not sure I trust the sincerity of it.
Alice: Q tells me that you both have a few things planned for Peri while you’re here. With your permission…I’d like to also be a part of some of that.
Alida: I don’t see why not.
Alice picks up on my slight hesitation…
Alice: I’m really glad you all agreed to spend time with us. Quincy Sr. and I just want to be around our granddaughter as much as possible while we can. I know you all will eventually be going back home…and with the distance – we’re just not sure how often we’ll get to visit.
Alice waits for a response that doesn’t come. She continues…
Alice: And I want you to feel at home here. If there’s ever anything that I do to make it feel any way other than that…don’t hesitate to let me know. Okay?
Alida: Sure thing…thanks.
Q starts to clean up the dirty plates and I flash him a smile of appreciation. As Alice is walking away…I take an extra step to let her know that I’m willing to let her be involved with Peri.
Alida: *calls after her* Uh…Q and I are going jogging. Would you mind watching Peri while we’re gone?
Alice: Sure…I’d be glad to. Is it okay if I give her a bath and give her breakfast?
Alida: That’s fine.
I can’t see her face, but I’m sure she appreciates my effort. She sits down at her piano and begins to play. She’s really good at it. Maybe one day she can teach Peri.
Q meets me outside…
Quincy Jr.: So why the sudden interest in jogging?
Alida: I have some extra baby weight that I’d like to lose.
Quincy Jr.: Think you can keep up?
Alida: I’ll do my best.
Quincy Jr.: Okay…let’s go.
I expect Q to take off like a rocket, but he takes it slow in the beginning – I’m sure that’s just because I’m with him.
We jog in one direction, then return to the house. I expect Q to stop and go inside, but he doesn’t. He continues jogging right past it. I can no longer keep up. Running in the sand is no joke and my legs feel a lot like jelly. I turn after a few paces and head back. I have a long way to go to match Q’s endurance.
Alice takes care of Peri just like she said she would. She starts out by giving her a much-needed bath but somehow ends up almost as wet as Peri. Once Q and I return home, she and Q Sr. both leave for work.
I step out of the shower and Q takes my place. On the way to the bathroom…
Quincy Jr.: You look amazing…and just for the record – I like the extra baby weight.
Q goes into the bathroom, leaving a smile on my face. Moments later, I’m greeted by Peri who stumbles into our bedroom.
Alida: Good morning…you must have been tired because you actually slept in!
I give her a big hug.
Alida: Are you ready to go to the beach?
Prosperity: Go ousi?
Alida: Yes…we’ll go outside.
My phone rings…
Alida: This is your auntie, Michelle.
I answer the phone…happy to hear from Michelle who fills me in on how her job and her work on our house is going. She also has good news about my mother…she actually found a job and will begin her first day soon! I tell her all about Sulani and about the stunt that Q’s mother pulled yesterday.
Q re-enters the room and entertains Peri while I finish up the call.
It’s another nice day in Sulani as we make our way outside. We go to a nearby beach that has a small playground. Q takes Peri to try out the slide, while I comb the beach for seashells.
Peri takes to the slide quickly but gets upset at Q for trying to help her. She wants to do it all by herself. Q pulls out his camera and takes pictures of her instead.
I have no luck in my seashell search, so I pose for a few pictures with Peri.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
