We arrive at the Banks Art Center about an hour later. We enter the place together, and I stand there awed at how ma has transformed our old home. Dub doesn’t waste any time in finding something creative to do. So Me-Me, Mase, and I decide to give ourselves a tour.
We go upstairs to what used to be ma’s bedroom. She has converted this into a painting studio and a place to display some of her pieces. In the corner, she’s hung the paintings she did of us.
Melisa: They came out amazing. I’ve always admired your mom’s work.
Kai: Yeah, me too.
And it’s the truth. Ma has always put her all into her work, and now that she has her art center, she can show it all off whenever she wants to.
I lead Me-Me and Mase away from the family paintings.
Kai: My bedroom used to be this way.
My old bedroom is indistinguishable from the rest of the upstairs area without the walls and door.
Kai: I had a loft bed that used to sit on this wall.
My grandparents’ wedding pictures now occupy this corner, along with a large photo of my father like the one from my old bedroom in Britechester. Me-Me sees it at the same time.
Melisa: Is that your –
Kai: *finishes for her* – father? Yes, that’s him.
Melisa: He’s handsome, just like you.
Kai: Thanks, but I realize that looks are all I got from him.
As I stand here with my family, I realize that he nor his side of the family has had anything to do with the man I’ve become. Everything I am has to do with all the other people in this room – not this one dude that donated his sperm in Sulani. It makes me wonder why I’ve wasted so much headspace trying to fill in the blanks about the Conway family. My family history is rich enough without them.
We turn towards the walls filled with pictures of the Banks family – my real family.
Kai: *to Me-Me and Mase* These are the people who matter. Did I ever tell you that my great-grandfather saved the lives of the people in Strangerville?
Melisa: No
Kai: He was in the military, and he and a small team of local heroes killed an invasive alien plant responsible for possessing hundreds of people.
Melisa: Oh, my Watcher! I think I remember learning about that in history class.
Kai: Well, that was my great-grandfather. Those are his medals there in that case. And my grandmother, Alida, didn’t solve any big mysteries, but she was a hero in her own right. She was raised in foster care after her mother went to prison for over 20 years. But she grew up and became a self-taught programmer. She and my Pop-Pop met in Strangerville and later moved to Oasis Springs. That’s where ma and Uncle Merit were born.
Melisa: You know so much about your family.
Kai: I want to make sure Mase and Dub know all about them too.
Melisa: They will – this place will ensure that they know.
We leave Mase with Dub in the small children’s play area and go outside. Ma has had the pool converted to a fountain, but everything else is mostly the same.
Kai: My Pop-Pop used to live in this building. It was once the pool house.
I can’t wait to see what it has become now.
Ma has converted it to a small vending area, where people can also get coffee and free popcorn.
Melisa: Oh, good! I can use something to eat.
Me-Me grabs a snack from the vending machine, then she and I sit down at one of the tables as I recount to Me-Me how Pop-Pop came to live with us.
After telling her about Pop-Pop, I figure now is the time to bring up something else on my mind.
Kai: Can I be honest about something?
Melisa: Of course, what’s up?
Kai: I’m still concerned about what happened yesterday. I hate that you were hurt, but I’m also hurt that you thought I’d ever cheat on you.
Melisa: Kai, I –
Kai: *gentle tone* No. Please, let me finish.
Melisa: Okay, go ahead.
Kai: And I want to take some responsibility for that. You were right; we don’t talk enough. It’s been all about Dub and now Mase. I’ve never asked you how you feel. You’ve had kids back to back while putting your career on hold. We need to find a balance. We need to go out on dates and take family vacations. I hope this trip can be the start of that.
After I’ve finished, I give Me-Me a moment to reflect and respond.
Melisa: I want to take responsibility too, Kai. We’ve had moments where there was room to talk. I just held back and didn’t say what I needed to say. Who knows why – maybe fear or insecurity. But I’m looking forward to us going out on dates and vacations. And I want you to know that I trust you – one hundred percent. You have never given me a reason to believe you’d cheat on me, and I hope you’ll forgive me for thinking about it.
Kai: There’s nothing to forgive. Today is a new day. So let’s start this vacation and work towards a more balanced life. Okay?
Melisa: Okay
I pull out my phone to arrange a ride to Tartosa.
We arrive at the rental in Tartosa. This place is as big as our house in Henford. No wonder it wasn’t cheap. Me-Me and I enter with the kids close behind us.
My first thought, as we enter, is that I wouldn’t mind living here year round. It’s nice and spacious but somehow still reminds me of home. So I’m looking forward to spending the next few days here.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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