Q meets Tammy, Gladys, and Frank at the card table.
Frank: Now you know you don’t play cards, Miss Tammy.
Tammy: That’s because you haven’t taught me yet, Frank.
Quincy: I can teach you.
Tammy: *looks up from her cards* I’ll take you up on that, then.
Q takes a moment to explain the rules.
Quincy: Now, strategy will come with time, but that should get you started.
Tammy stares at her cards for a long time.
Frank: You ready?
Tammy: I think so.
Frank: Well, go, it’s your turn.
Tammy: Patience, Frank. Good things come with time.
Tammy finally takes her turn.
Quincy: Good move! See? You’re a natural.
Tammy: Aw, you’re just saying that.
Frank and Gladys quickly take their turns.
Quincy: Not at all – that was really a great move.
Gladys: *interrupts* If you two are done flirting, it’s your turn, Q.
Tammy: We’re not flirting. It’s called good sportsmanship.
Q looks over and sees Gladys looking at his cards.
Quincy: *guarding his cards* Hey, did I just catch you cheating?
Gladys: If you leave it out there for me to see, then I’m taking a look.
Quincy: You can look all you want, but you still can’t do anything about this!
Q lays his card on the table.
Gladys: Okay, okay…that’s a nice move. I’ll give you that.
Tammy: So, Q. How did you discover our little group? I can tell from your accent that you’re not from here. Are you new in town?
Quincy: So you picked up on my western twang? Yeah, I just moved here to be with my daughter and grandson. I’m originally from Oasis Springs. She’s the one that insisted that I try the group out.
Tammy: Well, I’m glad she did.
Quincy: What about you all? Are you all married, any family?
Frank: This group is for singles. None of us are married…not anymore anyway. Didn’t your daughter tell you that?
Quincy: No, she left that little detail out.
Frank: Some of us have children. I have one son in the area, but I lost my wife a few years ago.
Gladys: I have children, but they don’t live nearby. My husband and I divorced as soon as the last one started college.
Tammy: I’ve never been married and never plan on it.
Frank: It’s the reason why we call her Miss Tammy.
Tammy: That’s right. I’ll always be Miss Tammy, never Mrs.! And, what about you, Q?
Quincy: Yeah, uh – I recently lost my wife. It’s part of the reason why my daughter insisted that I move out here – so I wouldn’t be alone.
Gladys: That’s sweet of her. You and your wife raised her right.
Quincy: Yeah, but it’s a bit annoying at times. She acts like I’m the child and she’s the parent.
Gladys: Don’t be annoyed with her, Q. I’m sure she means well.
Quincy: I know she does, but she’s stubborn like her mother. She would have never rested until I came to check out this group.
Gladys: Well, good on her because Watcher knows that we can be stubborn at our age, too.
Frank: Amen to that!
Tammy: I wouldn’t know because I never had any children – just a bunch of nieces and nephews that I spoiled when they were kids.
Quincy: I almost don’t know what I would have done without my kids. I also have one son.
Tammy: I’ve done a lot without kids. I’ve traveled the world and climbed Mt Komorebi twice.
Gladys: That sounds nice. I don’t know if I’d ever been brave enough to climb a mountain, but the rest sounds great. I’ve never really been out of Windenburg.
Tammy: It’s never too late.
Gladys: Yeah, but who would I travel with?
Tammy: Us. We should plan a trip together. What do you think, Frank?
Frank: It sounds great in theory, but some of us live on a fixed income, you know? I’d hate to leave anyone out.
Tammy: That’s true.
Q is suddenly pulled away from the conversation –
Byron: Mr. Banks, is that you?
Q’s last name has never been Banks, but it was Alida’s last name and the last name of his kids, so he doesn’t correct him. He looks up and is surprised to see Peri’s old high school boyfriend.
Quincy: Byron! How you been, son?
Byron: I’m good. How about you?
Quincy: Good.
Q feels awkward and unsure how to introduce Byron to everyone at the table. Introducing him as his daughter’s old boyfriend seems strange, mainly because he’s sure that the whole situation, with Peri, truly hurt Byron.
Quincy: Uh, this is our old neighbor, Byron, from Oasis Springs.
Tammy: Nice to meet you, Byron.
Tammy turns back to her cards, but Byron just stands there. Q suspects that he’s probably trying to figure out a way to ask about Peri.
Byron: So, how’s –
Quincy: *completes Byron’s question* Peri? She’s doing well. She just finished up her degree. We live here in Windenburg now.
Q wonders for a second if he’s said too much, but he’s sure Peri wouldn’t mind Byron knowing that.
Byron: Cool
Quincy: How’s your mom?
Byron: She’s good. She still asks about you all from time to time.
Quincy: Well, let her know that I said “hi.”
Byron: I will. Good to see you, Mr. B.
Quincy: You too.
Q turns back to his card game, and Byron finally leaves.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
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