I follow the lady at the café’s instructions while realizing that I never got her name. I make a mental note to find it out if I ever run into her again. I get off the ferry and make my way to an area that consists of tents and one small building. Hoping that I’m in the right place, I approach a guy and girl who’s standing next to the tents.
Prosperity: Excuse me…is this the conservation group?
Stranger: Yeah…how can I help you?
Prosperity: I’m looking for Mr. C.
Stranger: Craig? Yeah…he’s right there on the computer.
The girl points out a guy that’s sitting at one of two computers located in the small building.
Prosperity: Thanks!
I make my way over to him.
I stand next to him and clear my throat.
Prosperity: Um, excuse me. Craig…um, Mr. C? I was wondering if you were looking for anyone to help with your clean-up efforts.
Craig: *without looking up* All positions are filled.
Prosperity: Yeah, I know, but I’d like to help out voluntarily.
Mr. C grunts as if he doesn’t have the patience to deal with me, but his face softens up a bit when he finally looks up at me.
Prosperity: Hi…I’m Prosperity.
The girl sitting next to him looks up from her computer.
Girl at the computer: C’mon Mr. C! You know we can use the help…and you don’t even have to pay her.
Craig: *turns back to his computer* I only take interns from the university. Apply through the admissions office, and we’ll go from there.
Prosperity: But, I don’t attend college yet. I’m just here for the summer, looking for a way to make a difference.
Girl at the computer: *to Mr. C* You know we have the room…and we can definitely use the help.
Craig: We have the room, but I’m not about to be responsible for some kid barely out of high school. This is not a babysitting service.
Disappointment, in a bold shade of brownish yellow flashes before my eyes. I’ll just have to find another way to spend my time here on the island. Maybe I’ll apply for that lifeguard job after all.
Prosperity: Sorry for wasting your time…
I turn and walk away. I’m not about to stand there and let him insult me like a child. I slide on my sunglasses and try to shake the colors away by rubbing my temples.
I don’t even hear Mr. C walking up behind me until he calls out.
Craig: Hold on a moment…Prosperity.
Prosperity: People usually call me Peri.
Craig: Peri…if you’re really interested in helping out, be here tomorrow morning at 10. Don’t be late, or I’ll change my mind.
Prosperity: I need a place to stay too.
Craig: Well, bring your things. I’m sure Piper would be happy to share a tent with you since she feels we need you so badly.
I assume that Piper is the girl at the computer.
Prosperity: Okay, I’ll be here.
Mr. C turns and walks away.
Prosperity: How much will it cost me to stay here?
Craig: Don’t worry about paying…just be prepared to do all the grunt work. See you tomorrow!
I’m not sure what he means by grunt work, but I’m not about to stick around and ask too many questions. I’m just glad that I’ll no longer have to live with Gran-Alice and the way she’s always looking at other people like she’s disappointed in them. I get to spend this summer living like an adult.
I return to my grandparent’s house, but I’m not quite ready to go inside and explain to them that I’ll be moving out tomorrow. Drawn to the water behind their house, I quickly change and spend some time enjoying one of Sulani’s finest pleasures.
I remain in the water until the evening begins to approach. It’s time to face the inevitable and tell Gran-Alice about my plans. I find her out on the sunporch knitting.
Prosperity: Can I talk to you for a moment?
Alice: Sure… have a seat.
I give the knitting needles a hesitant glance before I make my way over to her.
Prosperity: Um, I found a great opportunity today.
Alice: Good for you! What is it?
Prosperity: I’ll be volunteering with a local conservation group…out on Mua Pel’am.
Alice: The ones that walk around making sure the beaches are clean?
Prosperity: Yes…I’ll be helping out with that.
Alice: Sounds like a fantastic way to spend the summer.
Prosperity: Same thing I was thinking.
Alice: Why do I feel like there’s more to it?
Prosperity: Well, there is. I’ll be living with them.
Alice: *stops knitting briefly* Is that a requirement?
Prosperity: No…it’s a choice.
Alice: I see… *starts knitting again*
I expected Gran-Alice to have more to say about it. I prepared for that, but somehow her silence is worse. I continue…
Prosperity: I’ll be moving out tomorrow.
Alice: When I invited you to Sulani, I expected you to stay with us…not live in some commune.
Prosperity: I know, but I’m really interested in this.
I add something that I know will help her see the light…
Prosperity: And the group is made up of University students. I’m sure being around them will help me make up my mind about college.
Just as predicted…
Alice: Well, if it helps you make the right decision, then I guess it’s a good thing. It doesn’t exactly feel like you’re asking my permission anyway.
She’s right about that, but I attempt to soften the blow…
Prosperity: We’ll still spend time together. I’ll come by frequently…and we can go out to lunch together or meet up at the café across the street.
Alice: I guess I’ll have to settle for that then.
I know that the last part was an attempt to incite pity, but I don’t play into it. I get up and head to my room.
Prosperity: See you tomorrow, gran!
I pass pop-pop on the way to my bedroom. Telling him my news will be a lot tougher, so I decide to put it off for a bit longer. I go into my room and give Byron a call to let him know what’s up, then I soak in the bath for a bit.
After I finish my bath and slip on my pajamas, I sit down with pop-pop as he eats his dinner.
Prosperity: I took your advice and found something that I’d like to do this summer.
Quincy Sr.: Good for you!
Prosperity: I’ll be helping the conservation group out on Mua Pel’am, which means that I’ll be living with them for the rest of my time here.
Quincy Sr.: I’m glad to hear that. You need to be around people your age…not two old people.
Prosperity: I’ll still come and see you as much as I can.
Quincy Sr.: I know you will, but your priority is to enjoy this opportunity.
Prosperity: Thanks, pop-pop! I’ll do that.
I get up and help him out by clearing the dirty dishes and taking them to the dishwasher.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
[…] minutes later, Kai finds himself at the conservation camp where his mother and father met so many years ago. He looks around, searching for the man in the picture above his bed at home. He doesn’t see him, […]