As Waddell and I enter the house, four things happen simultaneously. First, Kai unexpectantly steps around the corner from the kitchen. His expression is exactly what I thought it would be – confused as hell.
Kai: Why is Mr. Washington here?
At the same time, I’m asking…
Prosperity: What are you doing still up?
And behind me, Waddell says…
Waddell: Maybe I should go.
Prosperity: *to Waddell* Yeah, I uh – I’ll talk to you later.
Waddell heads back out the door, and Kai repeats his question.
Kai: What were you doing with Mr. Washington?
I’m embarrassed and on the defensive at the same time.
Prosperity: I, we –
I’m at a loss for words.
Kai: It’s after midnight, so it’s pretty obvious why he’s was here, but how long has this been going on?
Prosperity: That’s really none of your business, Kai.
Kai: You woohooing one of my teachers behind my back is none of my business? Wait…have you been sneaking around with him since I was in kindergarten? Oh my Watcher, ma!
Prosperity: First off, he’s not your teacher anymore, and no – I only just started seeing him.
Kai: So, is this what you do? Just mess around with whoever? Is that what happened with my father?
I can’t believe that Kai is speaking to me this way. There’s a mix of colors…resentful reds and embarrassed yellows converging all together.
Prosperity: How dare you? How could you say that to me? What I do is none of your damn business.
Kai does not back down.
Kai: Except when it leaves me fatherless.
Again, I don’t know what to say. I need him out of my face quickly before I say something that I’ll regret, but regret comes spewing out of my mouth anyway.
Prosperity: This has nothing to do with that. You’d better get yourself to bed before you end up hurt.
Kai turns and starts towards his bedroom, but not before shooting one last shot that hits me straight in the heart.
Kai: Like I haven’t been hurt already…
I’m left staring at his closed door feeling horrible.
Kai manages to get some sleep, despite the argument with his mother a few hours prior. He doesn’t feel as bad as he thought he would, although he said some things he wishes he hadn’t. Kai crawls out of bed and goes to his desk to complete the homework he neglected the night before. He barely has his book open before getting a text from one of his newest club members, Miki.
Miki’s Text: Tabula Rasa
Kai’s Text: ???
Miki’s Text: It means “clean slate or the absence of preconceived goals or ideas.”
Kai’s Text: I know what it means. It was our vocabulary word last week. But why are you sending it?
Miki’s Text: That’s what we should call the club. You know, since we’re all on the cusp of young adulthood and have no idea of WTF we want to do with our lives.
Kai thinks about it briefly.
Kai’s Text: The Tabula Rasa Club? I like it.
Miki’s Text: =)
Kai texts the new club name to the rest of the group.
I’m up early, realizing that I was not at my best as a mother last night. Inviting Waddell in was reckless, but worse than that were the things Kai and I said to one another as a result. Kai slips out of his bedroom and out the front door, barely mumbling a goodbye. I suppose I should be glad that I at least got that after my careless behavior.
I move food around my plate, too nervous about my final exams and too ashamed at how I treated my son to eat.
I make my way to campus for close to the last time. I’m two classes away from earning my degree. I complete my 1st exam feeling pretty good about it, then study a bit before going to the 2nd. Several hours later…I’m done! I’m a college graduate with an “A” average and a level 10 painting skill. I did it while raising a child all on my own. I can almost feel Gran Alice and mama smiling down at me…beaming from pride.
Kai is back home when I arrive. I’d love to play the game of avoidance right about now, but I have to woman up and be the parent. I approach him.
Prosperity: Kai, can we talk?
I sit down in the chair next to him as he stops typing and looks up at me.
Prosperity: I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have said what I said. And I’m sorry that you found out that way. I wanted to tell you about Mr. Washington and me, but it seems there was never a good time with ma passing away and the mess with your father.
Kai: It’s okay, ma. I’m sorry for what I said, too.
Prosperity: What do we do now? I like Mr. Washington, but –
Kai: I’m okay with you dating him.
Prosperity: You are?
Kai: Yeah, he was the best teacher I ever had. When I was still in his class, I used to pretend that he was my father.
Prosperity: But, Kai. That’s not what this is.
Kai: I know. It was just a stupid childhood fantasy. I just told you because I like him and hope he makes you happy because you deserve to be happy.
Prosperity: He does. Thank you.
Prosperity: But we’re in this thing together, and I’ll never be completely happy if you’re not. I wish that your visit with your father went better. I’m worried about you because we haven’t talked about it.
Kai: It wasn’t a bad visit. And it helped me realize something very important.
Prosperity: What’s that?
Kai: I don’t need him. You’ve been my mother and father.
I thought I was tough, but this kid always seems to have the ability to worm his way into my heart.
Prosperity: I don’t need him either. Because I have the sweetest son, a mother could ask for.
Kai: Thanks, ma. Oh, I almost forgot. I have something for you. It’s for Ancestor Day.
Kai gets up and goes into the kitchen to grab something. I get up and follow him as he pulls out a pink tulip and gives it to me.
Kai: My teacher taught us that Ancestor Day is about remembering those that have passed before us…like Gran. And it’s a day to appreciate the people that we love…like you!
Prosperity: Aww, thank you, Kai. I love and appreciate you too.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
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