All my anger has faded to nothingness once we’re back home from the market, but my previous conversation with ma is still heavy on my mind. Ma doesn’t mention a word of it during our ride back. And she still doesn’t say anything about it once we’re standing in front of the house. Instead, she addresses Dray.
Prosperity: Want to see the ducks, sweet baby?
Drake: See duckies!
Dray happily follows ma to the duck pond while I go to the backyard to work on my rock climbing skills.
Peri gives Drake some time to play in the pond. Then he comes over and sits down beside her.
Prosperity: I hate that I won’t get to see you grow up, baby boy – but I want you to know how much I love you and your brothers.
Drake has no idea what his gran is talking about, but he’s still in a playful mood, so he swings his arms happily, which seems to be in complete contrast with Peri’s somber, reflective mood. She continues –
Prosperity: This is why creating the art center was so important to me. It’s a place you can go to learn about me – and the rest of our family. I’ll make sure that your daddy takes you there, okay?
Drake: Kay
Me-Me arrives home from work with a lot on her mind. She’s feeling overworked with minimal reward. She can’t remember the last time she earned a promotion. While she realizes that she needs to increase her skills to be qualified to move up – it’s still frustrating to feel stuck in the same place for so long. Part of her wants to give up and quit her job. It’s not like they need the money. But a bigger part of her knows that she’d never be satisfied. She worked too hard to earn her degree to give up now. So she dismisses the thought of quitting and goes inside and pulls out her skill books.
Meanwhile, Dub and Mase are upstairs in their bedroom, finishing their homework. Despite his fears, Mase has had a great day at school, and now, he completes his homework quickly and closes the book. He locates one of his birthday gifts – a set of brand-new Voidcritter cards and turns on the console to try them out. Feeling a bit displeased, Dub finishes his work and then stands over his brother.
Wade: Why are you touching my stuff?
Mason: Mommy says that it’s my stuff, too, now. We’re supposed to share.
Dub does recall his mother saying something like that, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. But he has no choice but to give in.
Wade: Okay, but move over so I can show you how to play it right!
Mase moves to the other side of the console while Dub kneels in Mase’s previous spot. Determined to win the match, Dub pulls out his best-trained card while Mase uses one of his base, inexperienced cards. Dub doesn’t bother to correct him because he’s sure that this gives him the advantage as they begin to play.
But it doesn’t go in Dub’s favor. Despite Mase’s lack of knowledge, he beats Dub with no problem.
Mason: I won! I did good, right?
Wade: You did alright for a beginner, but you won’t beat me next time.
Mason: Want to play again?
Dub walks to his virtual gaming mat, with room for one person.
Wade: *bitter tone* No. I have better things to do.
Mase takes Dub’s word for it and picks up Belle, who’s always ready to play.
Dray has had a long day, so he curls up on the couch next to Me-Me and sleeps. He’s still there as Me-Me begins making dinner. After my workout session, I join her in the kitchen and help by cleaning the counters, which are overdue for a good scrubbing.
As we all gather around the table, I think about ma’s request. When is a good time to talk to your kids about death? Do I bring it up now and possibly ruin dinner for everyone? Then, as if she’s read my mind, ma turns to Dub – and I hold my breath, wondering if she’s about to introduce the subject herself.
Prosperity: So, tomorrow is your birthday? Anything special you want to make it memorable?
Wade: My friend at school told me about this place in Copperdale. It’s a mirror maze. You get lost and have to find your way out – only it’s tough to do because all you see is your reflection everywhere.
Following ma’s lead, I decide that now is not the time. So I keep the dinner conversation light.
Kai: That sounds like something we can do. Maybe we can invite some of your friends and go as a group. It’ll also be a great way to celebrate Mase and Dray’s birthday since they just aged up.
Dub doesn’t seem too excited to share his day, but everyone else at the table thinks it’s a great idea.
After dinner, Me-Me excuses herself and carries Dray up the stairs to get him ready for bed. I remain downstairs helping Mase clean up the dinner dishes and find her upstairs relaxing on the bed when I finally make my way to our bedroom. Thinking she has something romantic in mind, I strip down to my underwear and join her by the side of the bed.
Kai: Were you waiting for me?
Melisa: *flirty tone* Yeah, as a matter of fact – I was.
We climb onto the bed, but rather than coming close and snuggling in my arms as usual – Me-Me grabs a pillow and hits me on my head.
Kai: *shocked* What the?
Once I can comprehend what she’s done, I respond in the most appropriate way possible.
Kai: Oh, it’s on now!
I grab a pillow, and we go to war for ten minutes, laughing like children. I guess Me-Me has had a rough day as well. This is a great way to release all of our frustration. But Me-Me is winning, and I’m out of breath. She holds the pillow over her head, prepared to give me a big wallop on the head, but I hold my hand out in surrender.
Kai: You won. I give up!
Melisa: So, you admit I’m the pillow fight queen?
I bow to her and play along, hoping to keep the playfulness going. Who knows, maybe it’ll lead to more fun under the sheets.
Kai: Yes, your majesty.
Melisa: *giggles* Good, royal servant. Now you have earned your reward.
We crawl under the covers, and I receive my reward with gratitude.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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