After going through her mood swing yesterday, Peri contacts Byron online to assure herself that things are good between them. Not only does he offer her reassurances, but he decides to ask her on a date. She gladly accepts and spends the rest of the morning completing the homework that she neglected to complete last night.
Without even bothering to eat breakfast, I head downstairs to the office to work on the video game that has eaten up most of my time. I’m determined to complete it today so that I can begin to take on more freelance jobs to increase my overall income.
Q is up, but his mind isn’t on work. He cooks up a batch of pancakes instead.
Peri goes upstairs while he’s still eating.
Quincy: Aren’t those shorts a little too short for school?
Prosperity: We live in the desert, dad. Nothing is too short for school.
Quincy: I beg to differ.
Q’s objections fall on deaf ears as Peri packs up and leaves for school. Q walks out the door behind her to complete his morning jog before the heat becomes unbearable.
After his jog…Q returns home, takes a quick shower, and works with Merit on his speaking skills. Today he decides to try flashcards.
Quincy:*holding up the first card* What animal is this Merit?
Merit:*blank stare*
Quincy: This is a crab. Can you say crab?
Merit: Cwab!
Quincy: Close enough… *holds up another card* This is an octopus. Can you say octopus?
Merit: Okapus!
Quincy: Not bad!
Peri returns home from school with Byron right behind her. She’s decided to invite him over to meet her parents, but Byron has second thoughts.
Byron: *at the front door* Why are we doing this again?
Prosperity: I already told you…I don’t want to do the typical sneak around and avoid my parents thing. That’s old and played out.
Byron turns and walks back down the stairs.
Byron: No…I can’t do this.
Byron looks through the downstairs window and sees Peri’s father in there.
Byron: Isn’t that your dad right there? He’s big and will definitely kick my ass.
Peri walks down and meets him at the bottom of the stairs.
Prosperity: He’ll kick your ass if we sneak around, and he catches us together.
Byron: What if he doesn’t catch us, though?
Prosperity: You live right down the street. He’s guaranteed to catch us. I promise that he’s a nice guy. I mean, look at him.. he’s in there playing with a baby. He definitely won’t kick your ass in front of a baby!
Prosperity: Come on…I’ll introduce you.
Byron reluctantly follows Peri as Quincy continues holding up flashcards one by one for Merit.
Peri enters Merit’s bedroom…
Prosperity: Hey daddy…sorry to interrupt, but I want you to meet someone.
Quincy: It’s okay. We were just finishing up. Who is it?
Peri beckons Byron into the bedroom as Q stands up.
Prosperity: This is Byron…Byron, this is my father, Quincy Jr.
It takes a moment for Q to respond.
Merit: I hungry, daddy!
Quincy: Okay, little man…we’ll get you something to eat in a minute.
Feeling nervous from waiting for Q to respond, Byron waves and introduces himself again…
Byron: Hi…I’m Byron. Nice to meet you, sir!
Quincy: Yeah…I sort of got that the first time. I’m glad to meet you.
Q sits down on a chair next to the door.
Quincy: So…what the hell is this about?
Prosperity: Daddy!
Quincy: *ignores Peri* Are you dating my daughter?
Byron: *visibly nervous* I’d like to, but she wanted me to meet you first.
Quincy: Did you want to meet me first? Or were you perfectly fine taking my daughter out without my permission?
Byron: Well…I –
Quincy: Why don’t you sit down before you fall down…
Byron: Yes, sir *sits on Merit’s bed*
Quincy: Are you going to answer the question?
Byron: I, uh –
Prosperity: Daddy, we –
Quincy: *interjects* Peri…take your brother upstairs and give him something to eat. This might take a while…
Peri reluctantly leaves the room and follows Merit upstairs…
I leave the office when I hear a voice in Merit’s room that definitely isn’t Q or Merit. I walk in to see what’s going on, not expecting to see a teenage boy sitting there talking to Q.
Alida: Who the hell is this?
Byron: *waves* Uh…hi! I’m Byron.
Alida: I’m Alida…but I still don’t get why you’re here.
Quincy: Byron here is Peri’s friend. He wants to take her out tomorrow night, but she insisted that he meet us first. Byron didn’t exactly want to, but he’s here, so I give him credit for that.
Alida: *turns to Q* And you’re okay with them going out?
Quincy: I’m still trying to decide. Anything you want to say to him?
I trust Q’s opinion, and his calmer temperament, so I decide to let him handle it.
Alida: It looks like you’ve got it covered.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
