Gran and Pop-pop are outside waiting for me when I arrive. Pop-pop hugs me right away. Gran steps up for a hug but stops when she sees that I’m all wet. I refrain from telling her that it’s because I just finished washing clothes in a wash bucket.
Alice: I’m thinking we could go to lunch at our favorite restaurant.
Prosperity: I just ate, but I’ll have dessert. Lunch will be my treat.
Quincy Sr.: We can’t have you paying for us.
Alice: Hush! If she wants to treat, let her treat. She’ll inherit everything we own anyway when we’re gone.
Prosperity: And I have some good news that I want to share!
Alice: I’m all for good news.
Gran and Pop-pop insist on changing since the restaurant dress code is swimwear. I decide to keep my same outfit on because I’m feeling cute. We arrive at the restaurant, and I request a table, while Gran and Pop-pop wade in the water for a bit. Once I’m seated, they join me.
Alice: I try never to miss an opportunity to get in the ocean. I don’t know how many chances I have left in this life.
Quincy Sr.: Woman…you’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
We place our order. Once the waitress walks away, I share my news.
Prosperity: You’ll be happy to know that I was accepted into Foxbury and Britechester Institutes.
Alice: *huge sigh of relief* I’m guessing that means you’re going.
Prosperity: I almost can’t resist. Britechester accepted me into two of their distinguished arts programs!
Quincy Sr.: That’s what I’m talking about! It looks like you’ve inherited your gran’s talents.
Gran-Alice sits up a little straighter.
Alice: Damn right, she did!
The waitress brings our food, but Gran and Pop-pop are too excited to eat.
Alice: So your time here is winding down. I hope it’s been spent to your satisfaction.
I hope my face doesn’t give anything away. Part of me is more than ready to leave. But there’s a bigger part that feels like I have some unfinished business here in Sulani…
…and his name is Craig. My thoughts are interrupted by Gran’s insistent tone.
Alice: Peri…did you hear me?
Prosperity: I’m sorry Gran. What did you say?
Alice: I said…let’s make a toast to your good news!
My glass is already up, so why not.
Alice: I raise a toast to being young, black, and gifted and taking advantage of every opportunity earned!
We all agree to that and gently clink our glasses together.
We finish our lunch. I pay and leave a tip…then excuse myself to change into my swimwear. Gran, Pop-pop, and I spend a few moments wading in the water until Gran Alice announces that she’d like to visit the restaurant’s bar. We hug and say our goodbyes for now.
The day is still relatively young, and I’m not in a hurry to get back to camp and be around gossiping peers, so I kill some time by going for a relaxing swim. Just as the sun begins its descent, I head back.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
