I return home to find ma acting strange.
Prosperity: *anxious tone* You’re back too early.
Kai: *confused* Too early for what?
Prosperity: Uh – nothing. Happy birthday!
Ma gives me a big hug, leaving me even more confused because we already celebrated. She has to be up to something.
Prosperity: I have a gift for you.
Kai: Thanks, ma.
I open it up and see that it’s an expensive camera.
Prosperity: It’s the one I used to get through my classes in college. I know you won’t need it for class, but I’m sure you’ll find some use for it.
Before ma has finished talking, people begin to arrive. First to show up is Mr. Washington, my great Aunt Sophia, and my friend Liliana.
Kai: You didn’t throw a party for me, did you?
Prosperity: Yes, and it was supposed to be a surprise. I wanted us all to jump out when you walked in.
So that’s why I’m too early. It’s still a surprise to me because I thought I would spend my birthday alone in my bedroom playing video games or reading.
My friend Vern shows up next. Seeing him and Liliana there warms my heart. I once thought about cutting them off when they abandoned me at the music festival in Willow Creek a while back so they could sneak into a bar. But having them show up for me on Winterfest makes me forgive them instantly.
Liliana: I’m sorry for what went down at the music fest. I heard you kicked Miki out of the club. I thought you would kick Vern and me out as well.
Kai: I thought about it, but you two have been my friends for most of my life. I kicked Miki out because she called me an asshole when I told her I wasn’t interested in her romantically.
Liliana: Oh wow – that’s not what she told us.
Kai: *not surprised* Of course, it isn’t.
My friends and I gather near Mr. Washington, one of my favorite teachers from primary school. He’s here because he and my mom are seeing each other. I was pissed when I first found out because it was such a shock. But I’m cool with it now. He’s a good guy.
My uncle Merit slides through the door mid-conversation. He was there for me a lot when I was growing up, so I excuse myself and step over to thank him for coming.
Merit: You know I wouldn’t miss your birthday, nephew.
My uncle, Merit, and his long-time friend (or girlfriend, I don’t know which) Veronica seem to be in a weird mood. I’m wondering if they got into a fight or something on their way over here. Uncle Merit and I are close, but I’m not sure if he sees me as a confidant in that way – so I decide to let his business be his business.
As much as I wanted this birthday to be low-key, I end up being the center of attention anyway. But now that it’s happening – I’m glad. It’s nice to have my friends and family here to celebrate with me.
Pop-pop walks over to catch up with his sister Sophia. It sounds as if they haven’t seen each other since Gran’s funeral.
Sophia: So, how are you adjusting to this weather? It’s a far cry from Strangerville, where we grew up.
Quincy: I’m adjusting.
Sophia: *doubtful* Are you? I bet you don’t even have a winter coat.
Quincy: *chuckles* I didn’t, but Peri took care of that for me. As I said, I’m adjusting. Even an old dog can learn new tricks, right?
Sophia: Not this one. It’s way too cold here for my blood.
I can suddenly feel an all too familiar sunken feeling that makes me want to retreat from everyone. I use going to the bathroom as an excuse to leave for a bit. It sometimes takes me a while to realize what’s wrong in these moments, and then when I pinpoint the cause, I usually feel too ashamed to admit it, so I force it all back down again.
I try to avoid doing that this time. Instead, I pull it out and examine it for a bit, and I realize that something about the interaction between Pop-pop and his sister brought it on this time. The closeness, or maybe the familiarity, makes me feel like something is missing in my life because I don’t have any siblings. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up in the type of family that Pop-pop or even my mother had. I can only wonder, and that does me no good – so I stuff these introspections back wherever useless thoughts go and try to gather myself enough to return to the party.
Downstairs, Father Winter suddenly makes his appearance without anyone noticing at first. His first task is to add presents to the small stacks of gifts next to the tree. Then he walks over to my mother and hands her a special gift.
Father Winter: This one is for you!
Prosperity: Thank you!
Ma opens it and seems pretty pleased with it.
After observing from the top of the stairs for a while, I finally descend and rejoin the party. I catch Father Winter in the act of checking out my mom as she walks away.
Kai: Were you checking out my mom’s ass?
Father Winter turns to me with a guilty look on his face.
Father Winter: Uh…no, son. I was being friendly.
Kai: By checking her out?
Father Winter: *frank* What can I say? She’s a gorgeous woman.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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