New year, new look – let’s just say I had a lot of extra time on my hands on New Year’s Eve, so I decided to make a change or two. I make the mistake of stepping out into the hallway shirtless and run into ma there. It appears that she just returned home, and she’s staring at me with a strange expression on her face.
Prosperity: Oh my Watcher! Kai!
Kai: What?
Prosperity: You’ve become a man before my eyes, and you cut your hair.
Kai: Yeah, I wanted to try something new.
Prosperity: It makes you look so different – so grown up.
Kai: Well, I’m leaving for college today. It’s about time I look more grown-up, right?
Prosperity: It just caught me off guard.
Ma is being weird, and I need a shower, so I cut the conversation short.
Kai: Alright, ma, I’ll see you in a bit.
I hurry into the bathroom and shut the door.
Pop-pop is downstairs cooking breakfast by the time I’ve showered and dressed. I think about my awkward encounter with Annette yesterday and decide to ask him for some advice before seeing her again.
Kai: Good morning, Pop-pop!
Quincy: Good morning, Kai. I’m making sure you have plenty to eat before you move into student housing today.
Kai: Thanks! Uh – can I talk to you about something?
Quincy: Of course! *suddenly concerned* Is everything okay?
Kai: Yes, I need some advice. I met this girl yesterday – and I’m not sure how to proceed, you know…
Quincy: With dating?
Kai: That and everything else…
Quincy: Do you mean with woohoo?
Just my luck – ma comes downstairs right in the middle of our conversation. This conversation will be ten times more awkward.
Kai: Yeah, I guess so.
Quincy: Well, you’ll want to take the girl out before you even think of taking it there.
Kai: What do I say – if we go on a date and it comes up?
Quincy: Is it something that you’re interested in doing with this girl?
Ma is sitting there staring, and I suddenly feel like I’m under a spotlight.
Kai: I don’t know. We just met, and she’s cute and everything.
Suddenly ma chimes in just like I figured she would.
Prosperity: Just don’t get anybody pregnant…no matter how good it feels. Use protection, because it’s easy to get caught up – I can attest to that. If you’re anything like your dad physically – somebody’s daughter will be in trouble.
What does she mean by that? Do I even want to know? Pop-pop is just as appalled as I am.
Quincy: Peri!
Prosperity: I’m just saying. Good woohoo with the wrong person can be like a menace – next thing you know, you’re up against a wall and –
Hell no! I don’t want to hear the rest.
Kai: Ma!
Prosperity: Too much? Sorry, I was triggered. So I’ll just go and let you two talk.
Thank the Watcher because the last thing I need to hear is what went on between ma and my dad. That would be enough to keep me celibate for life. Pop-pop seems to be just as relieved as I am when ma disappears into the living room.
Pop-pop and I continue where we left off.
Quincy: I honestly can’t say that I have a lot of experience in that area. Your gran was my first, and only the whole time we were married.
I’m surprised.
Kai: Really?
Quincy: Yeah. I just wasn’t interested in a casual relationship with anyone. Of course, my friends would brag about all their encounters, but I was looking for more than that.
Kai: So you didn’t have any girlfriends until you met gran?
Quincy: I did. I dated here and there, but no other girl made me feel like I felt when I met your gran. I’m not saying you have to be like that. That was just my experience. You’ll have your own experiences, but your mother is right when she tells you to use protection. Your gran and I weren’t married when we had your ma. Luckily we were in love and decided to build a life together. The last thing you want is to involve a child in a situation with someone you don’t even like very much.
That last line sounds like my entire existence.
Pop-pop has given me a lot to think about and a lot to eat – I realize as I look down at the huge breakfast he has prepared. We grab a plate, and he leads me to the dining table while giving me more advice.
Quincy: And when you talk to this girl – just be yourself. You don’t have to try and come up with a bunch of fancy pick-up lines. She’s a person just like you. So talk to her with respect and try and get to know her if you’re really interested in her.
We all sit at the table, but ma gives Pop-pop and me some space to continue our conversation. I tell Pop-pop all about how I met Annette and talked her into exchanging phone numbers. Pop-pop chimes in about how he met gran and how their first encounter wasn’t a perfect one. It’s a much-needed conversation, and I’m glad that I approached him with it.
It’s finally time for me to go. Pop-pop, ma, and I go outside to exchange hugs and goodbyes. They offer me some last-minute advice and assure me that I’m always welcome back home.
Pop-pop pulls out his camera and tripod and captures some photos right before I head off to Foxbury University.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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