The day starts as it normally does. Dub wakes up early in the morning and finds his way into our bedroom as usual. Luckily I’m already up and stop him before he can wake Me-Me up.
Kai: May I help you, stinky boy? I think it’s time for a bath.
A potty trip and a soak in the tub lead to a clean little boy. By the end of it, we’ve both had a bath because Dub seems to enjoy getting me wet by splashing water all over me.
Wade: *raises his arms in delight* WA-TAH!
Kai: Yes, water all over me and the bathroom floor. It’s time to get out now.
Me-Me is downstairs when Dub and I finish with our bathtime shenanigans. I sense that something is bothering her, but I give her a little space by focusing on getting Dub seated and ready for his breakfast.
Once again, Dub’s food ends up all over the floor. It’s my turn to discipline him.
Kai: That’s not okay, Wade! We do not throw our plates on the floor.
Wade: No food, daddy!
My heart suddenly feels lighter, and tears sting my eyes.
Kai: Did he say, daddy?
Melisa: I believe he did.
Daddy…a word that felt foreign to me growing up. I met my father once, and somehow the word “daddy” didn’t fit at that moment. The only men I thought of as daddy were my Pop-pop, Uncle Merit, and at times my male teachers in primary school. But the word has never held as much meaning for me as it does now. I am someone’s daddy, and I intend to earn that title with every interaction with my son.
I’m still reflecting on one of the biggest joys of being a father when Me-Me reluctantly gives me some bad news.
Melisa: Your mother called this morning. She tried to reach you but couldn’t.
Kai: I heard my phone, but I was bathing Dub. Is she okay?
Melisa: Not really, Kai. Mr. Washington passed away this morning.
That light, soft feeling I felt in my stomach moments ago immediately turns into a sinking stone.
Kai: What?
Mr. Washington, my first teacher and one of the men in my life who I would have loved to have as a father, is gone. He and ma have been together for a long time. I know she has to be devastated.
Kai: Oh no! I’ll call her, and maybe we can go over there.
Melisa: No need. She said she’ll be over here in a few hours. She wants to get out of the house.
Me-Me gets up from the table, gives Dub some cereal to replace the food he tossed away, and begins to clean the mess.
Kai: Thanks for letting me know.
I’m hurt, for myself and ma, but I do my best to hold it together in front of Dub.
Melisa: I’ll be working from home today – if you need me.
The gardener is here today, so I have time for the one thing I’ve neglected for too long. So I take Dub outside and go straight to my rock-climbing machine. Dub is tired from barely getting any sleep this morning, so he takes a nap in a play tent that I set up for him.
Me-Me goes to work at her robot station while I progress significantly on the rock climbing treadmill. I complete another challenge which brings me a step closer to my goals.
I’ve finished my rock climbing workout by the time ma arrives. She finds me fixing the constantly broken windmills.
Prosperity: Be careful with that son. I’ve already lost one loved one today.
I know it’s ma’s way of trying to find some humor in the situation, but it does nothing to mask the pain I hear in her voice.
I pull her into my arms.
Kai: I’m so sorry, ma.
She relaxes into my hug for only a second before tensing up again and taking a step back.
Prosperity: Don’t feel sorry for me. Put me to work.
My first instinct is to protest and tell her to relax, but one look in her eyes tells me that she is desperately seeking something to take her mind away from her pain.
Kai: How do you feel about chickens?
Prosperity: Live or on my plate?
Kai: *small chuckle* Live
Prosperity: I guess I’m about to find out. What do you need me to do?
Kai: Just grab any eggs you see and maybe clean the coop out if needed.
I return to the broken windmills as ma walks toward the chicken coop.
Peri has never been around chickens before, but she’s not afraid of them. The only egg she sees is closely guarded by a mother hen who looks at her threateningly as she approaches.
Prosperity: *to the hen* Don’t worry, ma. I go hard for my child too! I won’t touch your egg.
Peri finishes her task, but it’s not enough to take her mind off Waddell for long, but she’s been through enough grief to know that the only thing that helps is time.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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