It’s Egg Day, which means nothing because I still have classes and a presentation due today. So I grab a quick breakfast to take on the go and head to my first class.
On top of all the school work, I’m also due to meet my family in Willow Creek for Pop-pop’s funeral. Instead of leaving for the airport right away, I decide to stop by the student center, hoping to run into Me-Me. Unfortunately, she’s not coming with me, although she offered. A funeral is not an ideal time to introduce my girlfriend to my family.
When I enter the student center, a familiar voice calls my name, but it’s not the voice I was expecting.
Annette: Hey! Kai – how have you been?
I turn to see Annette standing there.
Kai: Annette, how are you?
Annette: I’m fine. I sent you a text the other day, but you never responded.
I received the text soon after learning about Pop-pop’s passing. I wasn’t in the mindset to respond at the time, then I forgot all about it.
Kai: Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been going through a few things. *notices her Britechester University outfit* I thought you said you attended Foxbury.
Annette: I transferred. I was going to tell you, but you didn’t answer me back.
Kai: Oh
Annette: *blows a kiss* I’ve missed you. We should go out again sometime.
Kai: Uh, about that. There’s something that I need to tell you.
I sit down at the table nearby.
Annette: Is it that bad? Should I sit down, too?
Kai: Uh, I just needed to tell you that I’m seeing someone.
Annette: *disappointed* Oh. I thought we had really hit it off. Is it serious?
Kai: I’m hoping it is.
Annette: Well, you could have told me. You didn’t have to ghost me.
Kai: I wasn’t trying to ghost –
Annette turns and heads towards the door before I can finish. I didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. Now I regret not texting her back. Oh well, no time to dwell on that now. I have a plane to catch.
A few hours later, I’m in Willow Creek with Ma, Mr. Washington, Uncle Merit, his girlfriend Roni, and Pop-pop’s friends from his elder group. Uncle Merit comforts Roni with a kiss near Pop-pop’s urn. They are expecting a baby.
I take a seat, and Ma steps up to the mic to say a few words about Pop-pop and how great a father and grandfather he was.
Prosperity: I was not the easiest teen to raise. I had a thing for pushing the rules and could never seem to get home before curfew. No matter how late I stayed out, daddy was up waiting for me. And yes, he was angry – but I could also see the love and relief in his eyes when he saw that I was back safe. It was annoying at the time, but I’d give anything to have those days back.
Ma shares a few more of her memories of Pop-pop then opens the mic for anyone else who wants to say a few words.
Some of Pop-pop’s new friends speak, and Gladys sings a gospel selection. Afterward, Ma picks up his urn and places it in the family tomb next to Gran. Almost everyone gathers inside to say their final goodbyes.
Once everyone has left the tomb, I step inside – glad to have an opportunity to say my goodbyes in private. A few tears fall, but surprisingly – I hold it all together pretty well. I know Pop-pop is happy there next to Gran. I turn and notice all the empty podiums in the room, and it reminds me of my mortality. One day, this will be me and my ma’s final resting place, too. We can only guess how much time we’ll have. I look around the small room and notice a picture of Gran and another woman on a table. Suddenly the door opens behind me.
Veronica: Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you’d already left.
Kai: It’s okay. Um, do you know who that woman is – in that picture with my Gran?
Roni looks at the picture, and her eyes become teary.
Veronica: *slight smile* Yeah, that’s my mom. Her name is Michelle, and she and your Gran grew up together in a foster home in Del Sol Valley. They were like sisters.
Kai: *surprised* My Gran grew up in a foster home?
Why didn’t I already know this?
Veronica: Yes
Kai: Where were their parents?
Veronica: My mom never knew her birth parents. *saddened* We had that in common. Your Gran’s situation was a bit different. Her mother was in prison for killing someone. My mom told me that your Gran never knew her father.
So, being fatherless seems to have deep roots in our family. That needs to change.
Kai: My great-grandmother killed someone? Why hasn’t anyone told me this before?
Veronica: I don’t think your Gran liked to talk about it much.
I wonder if my mom knows. It seems a whole family history threatens to be lost if we don’t talk about it.
Kai: Thanks, Roni. Would you mind telling me more, one day – if you have time?
Veronica: Sure, I’ll be glad to.
The family travels to a restaurant in San Myshuno after leaving the cemetery. Ma secures a table, and we all sit down.
Prosperity: So, how have you been holding up? I haven’t heard from you. I’ve been worried – thinking I was going to have to hunt you down.
Kai: I’ve been okay – considering. My classes have kept me busy. How about you?
Prosperity: It was a hard few days, but Mr. Washington has been by my side.
Kai: I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, ma.
Prosperity: It’s not your job. *continues* I age up tomorrow, and I have an art installation coming up at the museum in Windenburg. Also, I’ll be throwing a birthday party there tomorrow, so planning has kept me busy.
Kai: A party?
Prosperity: Yeah, you should come – and bring whoever it is that really helped you through all of this.
Kai: *shocked* Ma, how’d you know?
Prosperity: You don’t think I’ve ever been in love before? It’s written all over your face. She must be very special.
Right on cue, I receive a text from Me-Me. I never told her when I’d be returning to Britechester. Ma and Mr. Washington are staying here in San Myshuno tonight, but I’d love to get back as soon as possible. Ma once again seems to read my mind.
Prosperity: You should go – no need to be here any longer than you have to.
Kai: Are you sure?
Prosperity: I insist. Just bring her to my party tomorrow. I want to meet her.
Kai: Okay, ma. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I kiss ma goodbye and say my goodbyes to the rest of the family. Then, I call up a S-Uber and make my way back to the airport – hoping to catch an immediate flight back to Britechester.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
Thanks for reading! Please hit the “like” button below to let me know you were here! Keep scrolling if you’d like to leave a comment. 🥰
