I end up getting a decent night’s sleep, despite being in the motel from hell. It’s nice having Byron’s face be the first one I see. I wouldn’t have minded getting used to that, but I have a flight to Sulani to catch in a few hours, so this is goodbye until the Fall. I go into the bathroom to take a quick shower, regretting that fact.
I’m clean from my shower but forced to put on my clothes from last night. I wish I had come more prepared with a change of clothes. It won’t be fun returning home dressed the same.
Byron is dressed and waiting for me when I leave the bathroom. Without a word, I step into his arms. We hold each other tight for a while.
Byron: Call me while you’re in Sulani.
Prosperity: I will…
Byron: Every night?
Prosperity: Yes, every night.
Byron: You promise?
Prosperity: I promise. But what do you plan to do all summer?
My mind flashes briefly to Rocio’s confession.
Byron: Counting the days until I see you in Britechester.
Prosperity: Really?
Byron: Yes and replaying last night over and over in my head…*pauses and grins slightly* with a big bottle of lotion.
Prosperity: *chuckles* Eww…you could have kept that to yourself.
Alida is up early watching TV when she hears someone walking up the stairs. She’s shocked to see it’s Peri in the same clothes from last night.
Alida: What the hell, Peri? Are you just now getting home?
Prosperity: Why are you mad? I’m an adult now.
Alida: …an inconsiderate one, obviously.
Prosperity: What?
Alida: Being an adult doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be accountable to anyone. You could have texted to let us know you were okay. Anything could have happened to you!
Prosperity: Well, it didn’t.
Alida: Were you with Byron?
Prosperity: Why? That’s my business.
Alida: You still live here, Peri!
Prosperity: Not for long…I’m leaving for Sulani today.
Alida: *taken aback* What? When did you decide that?
Prosperity: Last night…I’m flying back with Grandma Alice and pop-pop.
Alida: Peri –
Prosperity: *walks past* I don’t have time for this. I have to go pack.
If I wasn’t sure about leaving before, I’m sure now. I’m not about to stick around here and be told what to do all summer. I change clothes and pack up my warm weather stuff for the islands. I run into Merit out in the hallway afterward.
Prosperity: Hey, Meri…there’s something that I need to tell you.
Merit: What?
Prosperity: I’m going to be staying with Grandma and pop-pop for the summer.
Merit: Oh…
Prosperity: I’m leaving today.
Merit: Can I have your room?
Prosperity: No. You have your own room.
Merit: Well…can I watch TV in your room?
Prosperity: I guess so…just don’t go through my stuff. Okay?
Merit: Okay
Prosperity: Can I get a hug?
Merit walks over as I kneel to hug him.
Prosperity: Will you miss me?
Merit: Yes…even though you don’t play with me much.
Prosperity: We’ll play next time I see you.
Saying goodbye to my little brother is harder than I thought it would be. I squeeze him just a tad bit tighter before going upstairs.
But the hardest goodbye is still to come. Just as I reach the top of the stairs, I hear my mom telling daddy that I’m leaving today. I can hear the blues in his voice…
Quincy: What? I thought she wasn’t leaving until after your birthday.
I step into the kitchen to answer for myself.
Prosperity: Hey daddy…yeah, I decided that I’d better go sooner or else I won’t get to spend much time there.
Quincy: You have a point, but…I just thought we had more time with you.
Prosperity: I won’t be gone forever!
Quincy: Yeah, but it’ll feel like it.
I step over to give him a big hug.
Prosperity: Aww, daddy. I’m going to miss you!
Quincy: I’ll miss you, too. *steps back* Oh…I have something for you!
He places a gift into my hands. I open it right away…
Quincy: I was going to wait to give it to you when you left for college, but I guess you’ll need it now.
Inside are two bottles of solution.
Prosperity: What is it?
Quincy: One is a happy potion…Watcher knows that there are times when you’ll need it. The second is a sleep replacement for those long study nights when you have a lot of catching up to do. Use them wisely…they are for emergencies only, got it?
Prosperity: Thank you, daddy!
Quincy: Listen…I know you were out all night –
Prosperity: Did mama tell you?
Quincy: No…I checked your bedroom when I went downstairs to workout. And I’m sure you were with Byron.
Prosperity: Daddy –
Quincy: Let me finish!
Prosperity: Yes, sir…
Quincy: You’re a grown woman now, and these decisions are on you, but be sure to make good ones. I want you to be happy but safe. Got it?
Prosperity: Yes
After my talk with daddy, I walk over to mama. She pulls me into her arms…
Alida: Come here, you! I’m sorry for fussing at you, but I’m your mama, and I’ll always worry about you. You’ll understand one day.
Prosperity: I know…
Mama pulls out a gift of her own.
Alida: This is for you! I grew up poor…sometimes not knowing where my next meal was going to come from until I moved in with Mama Nadine. I never wanted that for you and Merit. Inside this box is everything we have to make sure you have a secure future. I want you to take it knowing that your dad and I worked so hard all these years to be able to give this to you!
I take the box and open it. Inside is § 160,000 and a strange seed.
Prosperity: Mama! It’s too much!
Alida: Nothing is ever enough for you. I want you to plant that seed once you’ve settled down and purchased your first home. It’ll grow into a money fruit tree. Once it’s full-grown, you’ll never have to worry about money. This will give you the freedom to pursue your passions…not just take a job to survive.
The greens, yellows, and blues have me shook. Going off to start my life is something that I’ve been looking forward to forever, but now I realize that I’ll be leaving so much behind. I’m not even sure yet if it’s worth it.
Well equipped with the gifts from my parents, I step away and head towards the front door. The brightly colored love I feel for them right now threatens to make me turn back and forgo the trip altogether. It would allow me more time to grow up and to be with Byron, but I keep stepping, because I know my destiny is in front of me, and to get there…I have to leave some things behind.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
