I wake up a lot later than I intended but still manage to get a lot done in the morning before meeting ma in Tartosa. The first thing I do is re-enroll in college. I have one class to complete before I can earn my degree. Then I purchase one hen and one rooster for the chicken coop. I name them Ebony and Ivory for…reasons. Finally, I make my way to the greenhouse and plant some crops, hoping to decrease our dependence on grocery delivery.
Me-Me wakes up, eats breakfast, goes outside to look for Kai, and finds him hard at work. She wants to help out as much as possible, so she checks on the new chickens to make sure they are happy. Then she begins harvesting some of the fruits from the trees in the orchard. If they are going to make this farm living work, they will have to work together.
We’re slightly late when we finally arrive in Tartosa, but ma is so excited about the upcoming wedding – she barely notices. She’s even more thrilled when we tell her that we’ve decided to get married right away – as in tomorrow. Getting an entire wedding planned in one day might seem like an impossible task, but it will be a winter wedding, making it not only out of season but cheaper and easier to get everything we need for a simple ceremony. Ma gives Uncle Merit and me the task of picking out our suits for tomorrow while she and Me-Me take care of picking out a bouquet.
Once they’ve completed their task, ma and Me-Me meet me at the bridal shop – and immediately tell me to go away.
Prosperity: You are not supposed to see the bride’s dress before the wedding. It’s bad luck.
Kai: Why am I here if I can’t be a part of everything?
Prosperity: You can help pick out the cake – now go away!
Ma’s cell phone rings.
Prosperity: *to Me-Me* Ah, it’s your mom – calling right on time to help us pick a dress. We’d better go in.
Since I’m no longer needed, I step away and go off in search of Uncle Merit. I find him sitting at the fountain in the middle of the square.
Kai: Ma told me to go away.
I sit down next to him. We watch the ocean waves at the nearby beach for a while; then Uncle Merit turns to me.
Merit: What would you have done if Me-Me had turned down your proposal?
It’s a strange question, and I wonder why he would ask me that.
I answer anyway, not taking it seriously.
Kai: I would have died.
Merit: Seriously, nephew
Kai: I don’t know – find out why she turned me down, I guess.
Merit: Would you have just taken the rejection and walked away? Or would you ask again?
Kai: Probably ask again – Unc, why are you asking me this?
Ma and Me-Me leave the dress shop and start heading our way. Uncle Merit shuts down the conversation.
Merit: I’ll tell you later. Here comes Peri and Melisa.
The cake shop is a few steps away. So that’s where we go next.
Kai: Did everything go okay with picking out your dress?
Melisa: Yes, and we face timed with my mom, so she helped.
Kai: Will they make it out for the wedding tomorrow?
Melisa: Yes, they’ll be here.
Kai: Good
Me-Me and I both choose cake slices to sample. She chooses a three-tiered hexagonal masterpiece, and I pick something simple and pink.
Kai: So we sample a few cakes, choose one, and you’ll have it ready on time?
Baker: That’s the plan. But I’m sorry to say that there usually isn’t a ‘we’ involved. I’ve been in this business for a long time, and ‘what the bride wants is what the bride gets’ is the way it usually goes.
Kai: What am I here for, then?
Baker: Moral support, I guess. My advice – act like you’re heavily invested, and everyone will be happy.
Kai: Even though I don’t get a say
Baker: Exactly!
I guess I’m okay with that. I could honestly care less about what cake we choose anyway – as long as it tastes good. I walk over to ma and Me-Me.
Kai: So, are we done after this?
Prosperity: Done! No, Kai – we still have to find a venue. There are several in town that I want to check out.
Kai: Seriously? Ma, we’ll be here all day!
Melisa: It’s okay, Kai. If you don’t want to go, your mom and I can handle it.
An out! I’ll take it. But then I remember what the baker said – “act like you’re heavily invested.” So I try to play it off.
Kai: Um, yeah – there are a few things that Uncle Merit and I need to take care of anyway, you know, for tomorrow.
Prosperity: Sounds fine to us. We’ll meet up with you two here in a few hours. *to Me-Me* I’ll call Jalisa back and get her feedback too.
Melisa: She’d love that.
Prosperity: So, what do you think of the cake?
Melisa: I like it. I think it’s the one we should choose.
Prosperity: You should let the baker know.
So the baker was right after all. No one asked me about what cake I wanted. Me-Me walks over and orders the cake.
Kai: *to Peri* So, am I free to go and, uh – take care of that other stuff?
I know ma can see right through me, but she doesn’t say anything about it.
Prosperity: As I said – see you in a few hours.
I hurry off once again to find my uncle. Maybe he’ll finally tell me what was up with that strange line of questioning.
Uncle Merit is standing on the beach staring out into the sea when I spot him. I don’t even have to ask – he immediately starts talking when I step up to him.
Merit: I think it’s time to try asking Roni to marry me again.
So that’s why he’s been asking those questions. I should have been able to guess that.
Kai: Do you think she’ll be more receptive to it now?
Merit: I think so. Moving has done wonders for our relationship – and we have two kids now. We’ve even found a good therapist in Windenburg – we’ve been going to therapy regularly. *pause* But part of me is still terrified that she’ll turn me down again.
I’m not used to seeing the vulnerability in my uncle’s eyes. So I bend down and begin to draw a smiley face in the sand to lighten the moment before I respond.
Kai: Even if she does say no – I wouldn’t give up on it. If she’s worth it – keep asking.
Uncle Merit’s response is a long deep sigh. So, I guess it’s not as simple as that.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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