We arrive at the Old Quarter Restaurant at eight on the dot. I walk in, planning to sit next to Me-Me, but Jamelia and Jalin take those seats, so I end up next to Jalin and their mom. The waitress arrives…
Merlin: Order what you want within reason. This one is on me.
Jalisa: Don’t be cheap, Merlin – this is a special occasion.
It takes me a moment to decide what to order. I try to pay attention to what everyone else chooses to figure out the most appropriate thing to get. Merlin orders a vegetarian dish. I can’t recall if Me-Me has ever mentioned that her dad is a vegetarian. Everyone else places orders that contain meat. I order the same thing as the last time I came to this restaurant – the Cured Meat Crisps. It’s filling, but it’s not overly expensive.
Now that our orders are in, it’s time to make small talk. Jalisa turns to me.
Jalisa: So Kai, Me-Me tells us that you’re a biology major. What do you plan on doing with it?
That’s a good question, but I don’t have an answer.
Kai: Well, I’m not 100% sure. I’ve quickly discovered that I’m not quite clever enough to be a doctor, so I’m thinking of doing something involving botany.
Jalisa: No shame in being unsure. I graduated intending to go into law. However, I ended up changing my career to journalism for several years, only to discover that my passion is the law.
That makes me feel a lot better about my uncertainty. Jalin turns to me.
Kai: So what do you do?
Jalin: I’m a Media Intern at Simstagram, but my passion is video games. So, I also run a gaming SimTube channel.
I’m not really into video games, so there’s nothing for me to add to that conversation. Luckily Jalin turns to Me-Me and starts up a conversation with her.
I sit for a moment and observe Me-Me with her family. Of course, I laugh at the appropriate times and comment when I feel the need. But watching them all interact helps cement in my mind that this is what I want – a large family that sits at the dinner table together chatting the evening away. It’s what I’ve been missing over the years, without even realizing it.
Suddenly, the conversation takes an interesting turn.
Jamelia: So, I’ve been thinking of opening my own restaurant.
Jalisa: That would be incredible, Lia. Do you have an idea where you want to open it?
Jamelia: As much as I like Brindleton Bay, I think I’d gain a better customer base back home in Newcrest.
Merlin: It would be awesome having both our girls back in Newcrest.
Me-Me glances over at me with an uneasy expression. Then she turns back to her parents.
Melisa: I’m not going back to Newcrest.
Silence rains down upon the table.
Merlin suddenly looks as if his stomach has grown too heavy for his body.
Merlin: Where will you live?
Melisa: Kai and I are moving in together.
Jalisa and Merlin both turn to me simultaneously. Luckily the waitress arrives with our food, giving me enough time to think of a response.
After the waitress has left…
Kai: Uh yeah. I inherited a house in Henford-on-Bagley – a big homestead. So I asked Me-Me to move in with me.
Jalisa: So. Do you plan to farm the land?
Kai: Well, I figure it would be a way to use my degree.
My mouth is suddenly very dry. I grab my glass and take a large gulp. Jalisa follows suit.
Merlin: *staring at Kai* A homestead? *turns to Me-Me* So this is serious? We’re not just meeting a first boyfriend here?
Melisa: Yes, daddy. It’s serious. It’s why it was so vital that you all meet him.
Jalisa: How could you not know it’s serious, Merlin? You’ve heard how Me-Me has gone on and on about Kai.
Melisa: I love him, daddy, and he loves me.
Merlin: I get that, but do you two plan on getting married?
Kai: We’ve talked about it.
Merlin: Just talked? Haven’t you made any plans?
Jalisa: Merlin honey – you do recall that we lived together before we got married. Right?
Merlin doesn’t seem to appreciate the reminder. But after a moment or two, his expression softens up a bit. He suddenly gets up out of his seat, and we all do the same – quickly realizing that this dinner is over. Unfortunately, I cannot read Merlin’s expression because his back is to me. I hope Me-Me’s announcement and our declarations for one another have not ruined Merlin’s opinion of me.
I make my way over to Me-Me.
Melisa: I’m sorry, Kai. Maybe I should have waited to tell them about us moving in together.
I give her a tight hug of reassurance.
Kai: It’s okay. I’d rather they know sooner than later.
Merlin walks over.
Merlin: Me-Me, honey – I’d like to speak with Kai alone.
A flash of fear invades Me-Me’s expression for a moment. Then she steps away.
Merlin: I’m sorry about my reaction at the table.
Kai: It’s okay.
Merlin: It had nothing to do with you. When you get to be my age, and all of your children have left the nest, you’ll understand that it’s tough when you finally realize that they are not coming back.
Kai: I get it. My mom has been feeling the same way.
Merlin: I like you, Kai. I can see the love you have for my daughter. I never thought anyone could love her as much as her mother, and I do, but now I know that I’m wrong.
My heart fills with so much relief that I’m afraid that it’ll begin to spill out as tears.
Merlin: If Melisa starts her life with someone, I’m glad that it is with you.
Now I know that I’m going to cry.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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