Ma and I travel with the boys to Frank D. Womp’s Mirror Maze in Copperdale. My friend Mo’s daughter, Perla, joins us.
I also invited Uncle Merit’s girls, Terra and Brianna, since they are teens just like Dub – but they have yet to arrive. Me-Me also wanted to come, but I insisted that she stay home after seeing how tired she was from working all day. She was practically asleep on her feet.
After about 15 minutes, I pull out my phone to ensure Terra and Brianna are on their way. They arrive before the call even goes through. Dub is glad to see them, especially Bri.
Wade: *to Bri* Hey! I haven’t seen you since my last birthday.
Brianna: I know, and it’s crazy because we live next door.
Wade: We should hang out more.
Brianna: Yes, we should.
Now that everyone has arrived, ma and I lead the group inside.
The first thing we do once we enter the building is to check out the main attraction – the mirror maze. Dub takes the lead in getting us through it.
Prosperity: This is wild. I’ve never been to a mirror maze before. It’s so disorienting.
Wade: *confident* Yeah, but I think we can figure it out.
Prosperity: *to Terra* I’m so glad you and your sister came.
Terra: We’re glad too, Aunt Peri!
We hit a lot of dead ends, meeting our reflections with every turn. But continue to make our way through the maze – with Dub still in the lead.
Mason: *to Perla* Maybe if we use our hands, we can feel our way through the mirrors.
Perla: Yeah! Let’s try it!
Kai: I don’t think they want us putting our hands on the mirrors. If we do, they will all be dirty.
Wade: The secret is to follow the floor as a guide, not the mirrors. That’s what I’ve been doing.
Brianna: That’s a good idea.
Dub’s strategy works; before too long, we find our way through. I reward everyone with simoleons for food and video games. Once all the young people have eaten, they scatter to see what fun the arcade offers.
The alien shooting game entertains Dub and his cousins, but Mase and Perla have other ideas.
Mason: Let’s see what’s upstairs.
Perla: The sign says there’s a gift shop up there.
Mason: Oooh, maybe my daddy will buy us some toys. Let’s go pick some out.
Meanwhile, Ma looks miserable, and Dray is tired from the overstimulation. Ma gladly volunteers to take him home.
Prosperity: Anything to escape this noise they call music!
They head out the door while I go and check on the kids.
Upstairs in the gift shop –
Mason: Oh, look! We can see the maze from up here.
Perla: We should draw a map to find our way through faster next time!
Mason: Yeah, but I don’t have any paper.
Perla: Me neither.
I find Mase, Perla, Dub, and Bri upstairs. I announce they have about 15 more minutes to do whatever they want, and then we’ll leave. Perla and Mase pick out some small items from the gift shop while Dub takes photos in the photo booth with his cousins.
After dropping all the girls off at home, Mase heads to bed, but Dub remains outside to ask me a question.
Wade: So, when do I move into the spare bedroom?
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the question, but we never talked to him about moving into the extra bedroom. I don’t like his tone because he’s telling more than asking.
Kai: You don’t.
He looks heartbroken.
Wade: What? Why not?
Kai: Your mom and I discussed it and thought it’d be better for you and Mase to share for a while.
Wade: Without consulting me?
The audacity and Dub’s sense of entitlement is killing me. I’m beginning to think that Me-Me and I have spoiled our kids.
Kai: We’re the parents. We don’t need to consult you.
Wade: But I’m a teen now! I need my own room and my own space!
Dub’s voice takes on a whine I’d expect from Dray or Mase. Not a teenager.
Kai: Well, we’ll reconsider when you begin to sound and act like one.
Wade: So I have to share a room with a little kid?
Kai: That’s about the space of it. Why do you need your own room so badly?
Dub’s face takes on a thoughtful expression as he opens his mouth to respond. But then he stops. I can almost see his mind going in another direction.
Wade: I want a quiet space to study.
He’s trying to say what he thinks I want to hear, but I know there’s an ulterior reason he’s keeping to himself.
Kai: Well, you can study in the downstairs office or the public library. For now, you and Mase will continue sharing. Is there anything else?
Wade: *disappointed* No
Kai: Alright! I’ll see you inside.
I head to the back of the house, hoping to get a quick workout in, while Dub mopes his way inside.
Dub goes into his shared bedroom, slips into his PJs, and looks around at the room’s baby decor. If he has to stay in this room, he’ll be making some changes – that’s for sure. He hangs the photos he took today on the wall above his bed and crawls over to the pillow.
Mase enters and noisily flops down on his bed.
Wade: *annoyed* This crap isn’t fair at all!
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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