I’m glad that climbing and working out can be a regular part of my life again, but it’s frustrating when issues on the farm get in the way of that. I’m in the middle of trying to complete another endurance challenge when the buzzing from the broken windmills behind me distracts me and practically makes me fall off the climbing wall. All of them are overdue for an upgrade. I need the right materials and skills to make it happen, but maybe Me-Me can help.
Inside, Peri takes it upon herself to help out by preparing steamed fish for the family. Then, if everyone is at the table together, she can finally announce the opening of her art center.
As I walk in the door, ma asks me to join them at the table because of some announcement. After working out and doing farm work for the past few hours, I’d much rather take a nice warm shower, but I figure it wouldn’t hurt to give her my attention for the next few minutes.
Prosperity: Okay, I’m finally ready to tell you what I’ve been up to for the past few days. Well, rather than selling my house in Windenburg, I decided to do something that would benefit the family over the years.
Ma pauses for dramatic effect.
Kai: What is it, ma?
Prosperity: I converted the place into a community art center. I’ll be teaching classes there. And Kai, your old bedroom has been converted to a Banks Family museum. It’s where we can put up photos and old family memorabilia throughout the generations.
It’s crucial that our kids know the family, so I love this idea.
Kai: That’s a great idea, ma.
Melisa: That sounds amazing, Peri!
Prosperity: Thanks, but there’s just one more thing. Since Wade’s birthday is tomorrow, I wanted to know if we could host his party there. It could be like our grand opening.
Ma seems pretty excited about the possibility, and I also like the idea, but Me-Me isn’t entirely with us.
Melisa: It sounds nice, Peri. But with Mason, I think it would be easier to have the party here. Then, if he gets cranky, he and I can retreat to his bedroom.
Prosperity: Oh, right! I hadn’t thought about that.
I can see the slight disappointment on ma’s face.
Prosperity: I understand. But I still can’t wait for you all to see it.
Kai: Definitely, ma.
I grab Dub and prepare to take him upstairs with me. Me-Me goes to the sink to clean up the dinner dishes, while ma puts away the leftovers.
Melisa: I’m really sorry, Peri. If Mason wasn’t so little –
Prosperity: It’s perfectly fine, Melisa. They’ll be other opportunities. Maybe we can do something there once Mason is older.
We can only hope that ma is truthful when she says she’s okay with not having Dub’s party at the art center. But for now, it’s time to turn my attention to Mase and Dub. I’m in the middle of giving Mase some extra cuddles when Dub walks over.
Wade: We play, daddy?
I’m exhausted, and the only thing I want to do is go to bed. But when I look into Dub’s sad little eyes, I can see that he can use some reassurance. I don’t have the heart to tell him no. I turn and pick him up.
Kai: Hmm, what should we play?
I lift Dub higher and place him on my back.
Kai: Buckle your seatbelt, Dub! It’s time for takeoff.
Me-Me walks in just as Dub and I are about to take off on our pretend flight.
Melisa: Be careful, you two!
Wade: We fly, mama.
Kai: Yes, we fly, mama, and you’re in our flight path!
Me-Me takes the hint and walks over to change Mase’s diaper, which gives Dub and me a few more minutes to play. Then she returns with her serious mom voice.
Melisa: Okay, it’s time to land the plane. The little passenger needs to go to bed now.
Kai: Okay, Dub, you heard mama. Time to return to the airport before we both get in trouble.
Wade: But we fly more, daddy!
I’d love to play more, but I’m exhausted and grateful to Me-Me for inadvertently coming to my rescue.
Kai: The plane is out of gas now. If we don’t land, we’ll crash.
Dub doesn’t fuss much when I pull him off my back and place him on his feet. As soon as he’s distracted, I leave the room quietly and head to bed.
Me-Me completes the bedtime duties, which include reading Dub a book and rocking Mason before tucking Dub in and giving him a final kiss for the night.
Before too long, everyone is in bed, resting for the festivities of Dub’s birthday tomorrow…
…except ma, who seems to complete her best works of art during the late night hours.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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