As soon as Mase arrives home with Peri, he joins Perla and Dub on the couch. But Dub and Perla are still in the middle of their conversation, so they don’t notice him immediately. Mase waves and makes his presence known.
Mason: Hi. Do you remember me? I’m Mase.
Perla is very invested in her conversation with Dub and is reluctant to have it interrupted, but she eventually turns to Mase.
Perla: *waves* Oh, hi, Mase! Yes, I remember you. I’m Perla.
Mason: I know. I didn’t forget. Do you want to go outside and play on the swings?
Perla: Okay
Perla would love to go outside and play but she would like it if Dub would come too.
Perla: *To Dub* Will you go and swing with us?
Dub sits on the floor and pulls out his homework.
Wade: I can’t. Daddy said I could only watch TV if I promised to finish my homework as soon as the show was off.
Perla: Oh. Can you come outside afterward?
Wade: Maybe – after my dad checks my work.
Mase gets impatient waiting for Perla to finish talking to Dub, so he goes outside alone, hoping that Perla will be right behind him. As he heads for the door, he realizes how tired he is. He could use a nap right now, but the promise of playing with Perla gives him a small burst of energy.
I watch as Mo begins his climb. Although he’s a natural, my extra practice has given me some advantage in completing the endurance challenge. Mo climbs without stumbling, but his pace is much slower than mine.
Mase makes it outside and sits down on one of the swings, but Perla hasn’t come out to join him yet. Mase can only hope that she comes out soon. He’s looking forward to playing with her but imagines she might have decided to stay inside and continue talking to Dub instead.
Just as I suspected – Mo is unable to beat my time. He doesn’t complete the challenge at all. Although he doesn’t grumble about it too much, I can tell by his expression that he isn’t very pleased. Of course, I am glad to defeat him, but I decide not to gloat. Still, I can’t help but be happy that all my extra training has paid off.
I peek at Mase and Perla playing on the playground before I begin my next climb. The constant squeak of the old rusty swings could easily be distracting, but it helps me practice focusing on the task at hand.
After swinging for a while, Mase stops his swing.
Mason: Hey Perla – do you want to see something cool?
Cool is like a magic word. Perla begins to slow her swing right away.
My fitness skill has improved noticeably. I feel like a beast that can’t be stopped. Mo looks on, no doubt impressed.
Maurice: But see, you’re at an advantage because you can come out here and practice anytime you want to.
Kai: You can too! You’re welcome to drop by and practice anytime you want. And bring Perla. Mase seems to enjoy hanging out with her.
Maurice: As long as Shay is okay with it, you’ll see a lot more of us.
Mase leads Perla over to the chicken coop.
Perla: *impressed* Oh! You have chickens!
Mason: Yes, but that’s not the cool part.
Mase reaches his hand into the coop and gently pulls out an egg.
Mason: This is what’s cool!
Perla: I’ve seen an egg before. My mom cooks them for breakfast every morning.
Mason: Yeah, but do you see how this one is cracked? That means it’s about to hatch.
Perla: How do you know that the other chickens didn’t accidentally –
Perla quiets down to a hush when the egg begins to move, and a tiny chick’s head peeks out.
Perla: *amazed* Ooooh!
She and Mase are both awed by witnessing the hatching of a new chick. Cool is an understatement.
Mason: Do your mommy’s eggs ever hatch?
Perla: No, never.
Mase places the new chick on the ground.
Perla: You should name her!
Mase thinks for a moment.
Mason: I don’t think I’m so good with names. You can name her if you want.
Perla joins Mase in his thinking.
Perla: I know! My dad sometimes calls me ‘Lil Bit,’ and the chick is little – like only a little bit of a chicken.
Mason: That’s what we’ll name her, then – ‘ Lil Bit,’ like you.
Perla: I like that, but how do we know it’s a girl?
Mase isn’t sure about that.
Mason: I don’t think we’ll know until she grows up.
Perla: Can a boy be named ‘Lil Bit’ too?
Mason: I think a boy can have any name he wants.
Perla: Not Perla.
Mason: No – not Perla, but I think ‘Lil Bit’ is okay.
Perla: Me too!
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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