Meanwhile, in Oasis Springs…Michelle and Tamati are finishing up a date at the Oasis Outdoor restaurant.
Back at Michelle’s place…
Michelle pauses for just a moment before making her relationship with Tamati physical. She still has what happened between her and Roman in the back of her mind.
Then she remembers that Roman wasn’t even half the man that Tamati is…and they decide to consummate their relationship.
It’s Q’s birthday. Alice greets him with a hug as soon as she sees him.
Alice: Happy birthday sweetheart.
Quincy Jr.: Thanks ma
I come out of the bathroom and attempt to grab Peri to put her in her high chair, but she’s in another one of her bad toddler moods.
Prosperity: *tears* Pop-pop! I wan pop-pop!
Quincy Sr.: I’m so sorry sweet one…pop-pop is late for work.
Peri breaks into a full-blown tantrum after Q Sr. walks away. I manage to calm her down with the promise of food and place her in her high chair.
Alice: I baked you a cake…it’s in the kitchen.
Q and I follow Alice into the kitchen. He blows out his candles and ages up to an adult.
Alida and Alice: Happy Birthday!
We all grab a slice of cake and sit down at the table.
Alice: *to Q Jr.* So…I have the day off and I was thinking we can do our traditional mother-son birthday lunch. Maybe we can go to the Beach Shack. You’ve always loved that place.
I wave my hand to avoid just outright interrupting. Alice looks over at me…unable to hide her annoyance.
Alice: Yeah?
Alida: I’m so sorry, but I was planning on taking Q and Peri to meet Mama Nadine today.
Alice: And who exactly is Mama Nadine?
Alida: She’s the woman that raised me.
Alice: So she’s your mother?
Alida: Uh…no – my foster mom.
Alice: I see…so I can’t take my son out for his birthday because you want him to meet some random woman –
Quincy Jr.: *to Alice* Ma!
That’s it…Alice has gone way too far.
Alida: She’s not just some random woman! She’s one of the most important people in my life. Without her…I probably wouldn’t even be here!
Quincy Jr.: *to Alice* Calm down…we can go to lunch to –
Alice: Don’t tell me to calm down Q. I AM your mother…I’m not just someone who raised you. I gave birth to you! But you can’t spend your birthday with the woman who’s responsible for that? You’d rather run off and meet some woman that you don’t even know!
Alida: She’s not just SOME woman! She’s the nicest woman I know and she’d never treat anyone the way you’ve treated me. Q will feel welcomed with her…not like an unwanted guest like I’ve felt every day since I’ve been here!
Alice’s hands snap out forcefully in front of her.
Alice: Unwanted? I don’t think so miss thing. I invited my son and MY granddaughter here so that I could spend time with them, but I haven’t had a chance to see them much at all because of you! I sat here alone all day yesterday while you all went gallivanting to the aquarium and all over Sulani. Was I invited? No! If anyone has a right to feel unwanted…it’s me!
Alida: F&*k that! If you want to spend time with your son…that’s fine. But my baby and I are going to go see Mama Nadine. She’s my daughter…not yours!
Alice: See? That’s why Peri is running around here cursing now. You need to watch your mouth around the baby.
Quincy Jr.: *to Alice* Ma…you’re way outta pocket.
Alice: So you’re going to sit there and let her curse at your own mother? That hurts Q. I’m beyond hurt.
I get up and grab Peri and walk towards the door.
Quincy Jr.: I’m sorry, but you deserved it. You can’t say stuff like that to her. If you don’t want Alida here…then you don’t want me or Peri here either. We can find another place to stay!
Alice holds her heart as if it’s been broken.
Q hurries after Peri and me.
Quincy Jr.: Where do you think you’re going without me?
I stop and allow him to catch up.
Alida: I can’t do this anymore Q. She insulted Mama Nadine.
Quincy Jr.: I know and I’m so sorry about that. Let’s go see Mama Nadine…together. Then we can come back and get our stuff. We’ll find another place to stay if you want to. Okay?
I’m still mad as hell, but I can’t take it out on Q.
Alida: Okay
Quincy Jr.: Now…just tell me where she lives.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
