The windmills are fixed, hopefully for a while this time. I go to the mailbox and see why I need to ensure they stay functional – our bills for this week total over §13,000. We could save a lot if I work on making the farm less dependent on the city’s energy and water. I’m just glad that we can afford it. I get it out of the way by paying it and even decide to send off some old knitted items that we weren’t using to charity.
Then it’s back to tackling some farm work. I didn’t have much success with my previous harvest of large crops, so I’m going to take it slow this time by only planting a few watermelons.
Ma is sitting in the gazebo knitting. Seeing her sitting there in a seemingly peaceful state gives me an idea.
I go over and sit next to her.
Kai: Ma, I want you to move in with us.
Prosperity: What? No, I don’t think so.
Kai: Why not? You can retire and spend all day knitting, painting and –
Prosperity: *interrupts* Dying
Kai: No, ma. That’s not what I was going to say.
Prosperity: But that’s what’ll happen.
Kai: Ma, you’d be here with your grandchildren. Me-Me and I have started trying for another baby. Don’t you want to be able to see them every day?
Ma sighs, surely thinking about how she had this same conversation with Pop-Pop after gran died. Those same arguments apply here, so I don’t feel the need to regurgitate them now.
Prosperity: Have you talked to Me-Me about this? She’s the woman of the house, and I wouldn’t want to impose on that.
Kai: I’ll talk to her. If she agrees, will you do it?
Prosperity: Let me think about it, Kai. Okay? I promise I’ll let you know my decision tomorrow.
There’s nothing left to do but give her some space. So I leave her to her knitting and go to the garage to squeeze in another workout.
Me-Me is still working when ma finally gets up to leave. I hope that Me-Me will be okay with ma living here and that ma will seriously consider my offer. I hate the thought of her returning to that big house alone.
Dub has slept most of the day away, which helped me get a lot done, but I realize that if I don’t wake him – Me-Me and I will be up all night with him. I occupy him with some blocks while Me-Me finishes up her work day.
Dub is making some progress on his block-building skills, which is good. But my mind is preoccupied with getting a room ready for ma if everything goes to plan. This house has four bedrooms, three decorated for children. But there’s also another room downstairs. It once served as a craft room, and I enter it now thinking it might be perfect for ma. She’d even have her own bathroom and some privacy since it’s downstairs, away from the other rooms.
Upstairs…
Melisa: Okay, Dubbie. Mommy needs you to sit on the potty, so you don’t have another accident.
Wade: *stomps his foot and refuses* No!
Melisa: *frustrated* This isn’t a negotiation, Wade Banks. I need you to sit right now.
Dub considers his mommy’s tone and decides it might be best if he does what he’s told. Maybe then he’ll get to hear the soft voice again.
Dub finally sits on the potty.
Melisa: Very good, Dubbie.
I enter Dub’s room while Me-Me is working on some potty training. I hope now is a good time to broach the subject of ma moving in.
Dub uses the potty, then gets up to celebrate.
Wade: *waves arms* Yay!
Melisa: Yes, Dubbie. Yay is right! Good job
Kai: Is everything okay?
Melisa: Now it is. I was finally able to get Dubbie to sit down on the potty.
Kai: Is it a good time to talk?
Melisa: Is it serious?
Kai: Yes and no – I guess
Melisa: What’s up?
Kai: Um…I spoke with ma today.
Melisa: How’s she doing?
Kai: She tries to hide it but she’s taking Mr. W’s death hard.
Melisa: *sad sigh* They were the cutest couple.
Kai: I know, and I don’t like the idea of her dealing with this alone. So, I asked her to consider moving in with us – but only if you’re okay with it.
Me-Me doesn’t respond immediately, so I provide some reasons why I think it would be a good thing.
Kai: She’d be a big help with Dub. I wouldn’t have to worry about him while I’m busy on the f-
Melisa: *interrupts* Kaby, you don’t have to explain. I think it would be great having Peri here with us.
Kai: You do?
Melisa: Yes. Tell her that she’s more than welcome.
I hit the jackpot when I married this woman. I pull her into my arms and whisper in her ear to tell her so.
Kai: Thank you, babe.
After the hug…
Melisa: So which room do we need to remodel?
Kai: Well, she’ll have to agree first, but I thought the craft room would be perfect.
Melisa: I’ll look and see what we need to get it ready.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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