I was right to second-guess my decision to let Mo go first on the treadmill. He effortlessly beats my previous time and sets a new climbing challenge record.
Kai: I didn’t know you were that good at climbing. Have you been practicing?
Maurice: No. My focus has been weightlifting and an occasional yoga class with my wife.
If he hasn’t been practicing, that means I should be able to beat him, right? So I start the machine and begin to climb, giving it my best shot.
It doesn’t go my way. I slip and stumble a few times and end up not finishing.
Kai: Bro, you must be a natural.
Maurice: Nah, I think it’s the yoga. It helps me with my focus and balance.
Kai: Hmm, maybe I should give it a try. How about a change of pace? I have some workout equipment in the garage. We can box or lift for a while.
Maurice: Yeah, sure
Kai and Mo aren’t the only ones looking for a change of activity. Dub is tired of Joanne bossing him around and taking all the blocks, so he suggests they play on the monkey bars and swings instead.
Wade: Let’s see who can get across the bars faster.
Joanne: But I didn’t finish my tower yet.
Wade: Well, you can stay here. I’m going to climb for a while.
Dub walks away, and Joanne reluctantly follows, although she’d much rather continue building at the block table.
As Mo and I are heading to the garage, we pass Dub, who seems to have made a new friend at school. I hope he’s being nice and sharing his toys.
We go into the garage, and I equip myself with gloves and begin a short boxing routine. Mo opts for the weight machine in the corner.
Shortly after Me-Me arrives home from work, she receives a call from her old roommate, Shania.
Shania: *on the phone* I’m coming by to pick up Mo. I just wanted to check and see if you were home.
Melisa: Mo is here?
Shania: Yeah, he and Kai are training for a trip up Mt. Komorebi.
Me-Me knew they were going to start training, but she didn’t know it would happen so soon.
Melisa: *on the phone* Well, I’m here. I just got home from work.
Shania: Good! I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.
Shania arrives with her baby girl, Perla. Me-Me’s heart melts as soon as she sees her.
Me-Me picks Perla up.
Melisa: Aww, she’s so beautiful, Shay! I hope we’re having a girl.
Shania: Maybe you will.
Melisa: Maybe. We already have a name and everything.
Me-Me turns to Shania.
Melisa: And look at you! You don’t even look like you had a baby.
Shania: Thank you, but believe me, the signs are there.
Melisa: I didn’t even get a chance to lose the baby weight from Dubbie before I was pregnant again. At this rate, *looks down at her pregnant belly* I’ll never lose it.
Shania: Take a few yoga classes with me, and any weight you want to lose will begin to melt right off.
Melisa: I’ll take you up on that! After the baby is born, of course.
Dub’s friend Joanne has finally left, so he comes back inside right before Me-Me enters, carrying Perla, with Shay right behind them. She is anxious to introduce Perla to Mase.
Melisa: Look, Mase, this is Perla – someone just your size.
Me-Me puts Perla down, expecting them to play right away. But Perla walks away, and Mase can’t do anything but follow.
Melisa: *to Shay* It looks like you have a little leader.
Shania: She’s definitely the boss of our house.
Mo’s wife, Shay, enters the garage just as we finish our workout. Mo greets her with a kiss. Watching Shay and Mo interact makes me very glad that I invited him to hang out that day at the bluffs. They are a match made in heaven, and I’m happy to take credit for facilitating it.
I walk over to say hello.
Kai: Nice to see you again, Shay.
Shania: Nice to see you too, Kai. *To Mo* Will you be ready soon? I thought we could stop somewhere to eat on the way home
Maurice: We’re just wrapping up, but I’m all sweaty. I’ll need a shower before we consider eating out.
Shania: That’s okay – we’ll get takeout.
Meanwhile, Mase finally captures Perla’s attention. Perla, who talks exceptionally well for her age, tries to ask Mase some questions – but his communication skills are not quite as advanced.
Perla: What’s your name? How old are you?
Mason: I Maz. I, the baby.
Perla: I’m Perla. I twu years old.
Mason: I ha a bwotha.
Perla: Oh. I don’t have a brother.
Mason: I be you bwotha.
Perla: Okay
After the Crews family has left – the bedtime routines begin. Mase is changed into his pajamas and goes to bed right away. On the other hand, Dub gets a bit distracted on his way to his bed.
After the Crews family has left – the bedtime routines begin. Mase is changed into his pajamas and goes to bed right away. On the other hand, Dub gets a bit distracted on his way to his bed.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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