Plans have been made for us all to go over to the Sand Bar to finish out Q’s birthday celebration. I go into Peri’s room to try and get her ready, but she’s not in a cooperative mood.
Alida: Let’s go potty Peri so mommy can get you all pretty and ready for daddy’s party.
Prosperity: No! *stomps her foot* I no want to potty!
Alida: You’re going to have a messy smelly diaper then. You don’t want that either, do you?
Prosperity: No! No smelly…no potty!
Peri is way too tired to even care about what I’m saying…everything is ‘no’ right now. But after some coaxing, I manage to get her on the potty. There’s no way she’d ever make it at the Sand Bar though. I might have to skip out on the party and just stay here with her.
Q Sr. comes home from work and changes into his party clothes. He greets Q Jr. with a hug…
Quincy Sr.: Happy birthday son!
Quincy Jr.: Thanks pop.
Quincy Sr.: I hear that your mom and Alida got into it this morning. Mom called me at work…sounding all hysterical, saying that Alida cursed her out.
Quincy Jr.: It was bad, but I’m sure ma over exaggerated a bit. But she insulted Alida’s foster mom and Alida grabbed Peri and walked out. I think if I wasn’t sitting in between them…they might have come to blows.
Quincy Sr.: She says that you’re looking to move out.
Quincy Jr.: They talked it out a few moments ago, but that’s up to Alida.
Quincy Sr.: I’m really sorry that this has happened. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into your mother. She’s never been this rude to anyone.
Quincy Jr.: It’s wild pop…you think it’s cause she’s getting older?
Quincy Sr.: No…and don’t let your mom hear you suggesting that!
Peri leaves the bathroom and walks right over to her grandmother…
Prosperity: Pick me up, gaanny!
Alice: Please?
Prosperity: Peas!
I enter the room as Alice changes Peri into her pajamas and places her in her bed.
Alida: I’m going to have to stay here with her…she’s way too tired to go anywhere.
Alice: You go…I’ve got her.
I look Alice over and see that she’s dressed up for Q’s party.
Alida: You sure?
Alice: Of course! It’ll be my pleasure to stay here with granny’s little angel.
Alice has definitely managed to calm her down. All I could get is a bunch of ‘nos’ from her. Peri would probably be in much better hands with her grandmother.
Alida: Okay…thanks so much!
The two Q’s and I arrive at the Sand Bar. Q Sr. insists on trying his hand at preparing bar-b-que Sulani style. Q Jr. and I occupy our time with a game of Ping Pong.
As always, Q Jr. is a fierce competitor. He takes no mercy on me and promptly kicks my ass.
After a 3-2 victory…
Quincy Jr.: It’s my birthday…you can’t be mad at me for winning.
Even if I was mad…one touch from him melts it all away.
Alida: It’s all good…just know that I let you win. Consider it my gift to you.
Quincy Jr.: *chuckles* Oh…okay. I’ll take it then…
Q Sr. walks over…
Quincy Sr.: Alida…I’m sad to hear that you and Q are thinking about moving out for the duration of your stay. I’m sorry that Alice has made you feel that you have to.
Alida: We talked it over. I told her that I’ll consider staying.
Quincy Sr.: Well, if you do decide to move out…I’ll pay for your stay. I feel partially responsible for what happened. I just wish I had done something sooner.
I look over at Q Jr. and I realize that he’d probably be much happier if we didn’t have to find another place to stay. I make my final decision…
Alida: No…that won’t be necessary. I think we’ll all be able to co-exist. Alice sincerely apologized…and I’ve decided to forgive her.
Quincy Sr.: *relieved* That’s good to hear. I’m sure Alice will be thrilled to hear that as well. *pause* Excuse me a moment…I’d better go check on the food.
After Q Sr. has walked away…
Quincy Jr.: I’m glad to hear that too! Thank you!
Alida: Consider that another birthday gift…
Quincy Jr.: Well…I’ll have to make sure to hand out your ‘party favor’ when we get back home.
That definitely puts a smile on my face.
The bar-b-que is finally done. Q Sr. and I sit down at the nearby picnic bench to eat.
Quincy Sr.: My son is a lucky man. You are the best thing that’s happened to him.
Alida: Thank you! I appreciate that.
Quincy Sr.: I believe that you and I have a lot in common. I didn’t always live in Strangerville. I actually had a very humble beginning growing up in Twinbrook. I was raised by my grandmother…because my parents – well…let’s just say, they weren’t the best influences in my life. Did Q ever tell you the story of how I ended up in Strangerville?
Alida: He never gave me details. He just said that you were some sort of town hero.
Quincy Sr.: *chuckles* I wouldn’t exactly call myself a hero…I was really just a scared kid, fresh in the military, who saw a town in need and tried to do whatever I could to help. When I arrived in Strangerville, over half of the population was possessed by some unknown entity… *tells the story of the Strangerville Mystery*
It’s late when we all return home. I enter the house surprised to see Peri still up. I walk over to her and Alice…
Alice: I’m sorry that she’s not in bed. She slept for a while, then got up insisting that she was hungry.
I’m not exactly surprised. Peri can be quite determined when she wants something.
Alida: It’s okay. I really appreciate you watching her for us.
Alice lifts Peri out of her highchair. I sit down at the table…
Alida: I’ve made my decision…we’re going to stay here.
Alice: Oh Alida! I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you so much!
Alice takes Peri back to her room and I help out by cleaning up the dirty dish left behind.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
