Me-Me approaches me after she arrives home from work.
Melisa: Can we talk?
Kai: Of course. Is everything okay?
Melisa: Yes. I wanted to talk about Dubbie. I think it’s time to let him have the spare bedroom.
Kai: Do you think he’s ready?
Melisa: I do. He’s been very responsible, and he’s doing well in school.
Kai: But will that continue if we give him the room?
Melisa: We won’t know unless we give him a chance.
Me-Me has a point.
I pull out my phone and text Dub. I still have reservations about giving him the room, but I trust Me-Me’s judgment. Dub comes out to meet us.
Wade: Yes, dad?
Kai: Your mom has something that she wants to say to you.
Wade: Okay. What is it, ma?
Melisa: I think you’re ready for your own room.
Wade: Really!
Something about how he says ‘really’ doesn’t sit right with me. It’s like he’s not surprised. I hope we’re making the right decision. I still think Dub has a lot to learn about sharing and generosity, but I turn to leave and let Me-Me take the lead on this.
Melisa: I like how responsible you’ve been. And I’m thrilled about how well you did on your exams.
Wade: Thanks, ma. Can I see the room now? I tried going in, but it’s locked.
Melisa: It’s locked for a reason. Come on, let me show you.
Me-Me leads Dub up the stairs and unlocks the room.
Melisa: We’ve been redecorating it. That’s why it’s locked. We wanted to surprise you. Do you like it? We can change it if you don’t.
Wade: It’s perfect, ma!
Dub takes a closer look around the room. Then he gives his ma a big hug.
Wade: Thanks so much!
Melisa: Don’t thank me yet because having this room comes with contingencies. You have to keep the room clean. Don’t be like your uncle Jay. My parents gave him his own room, which turned into a pigsty.
Wade: I’ll keep it clean.
Melisa: And you need to keep your grades up. We also don’t want you sneaking people up here without permission. Got it?
Wade: Got it, ma.
Melisa: Promise?
Wade: I promise.
Melisa: Good!
Peri is downstairs sitting on the couch watching the weather channel when she suddenly gets a text. Peri dreads looking at her phone these days because lately, it’s been nothing but bad news. But she does it anyway, and her fear is confirmed. Byron Davies, her high school boyfriend, has passed away.
The news puts a considerable dent in the good day that Peri was trying to have. Her heart sinks with the familiar feeling of loss. She gets up and considers crawling into her bed to cry the rest of the night away. But she resists the urge. Instead, she goes into her bathroom for a long soak in the tub.
I go into the kitchen to prepare fried fish for dinner. Ma helps us by getting Dray ready for bed once he’s eaten. Dub and Mase linger around the table for a bit longer, and Me-Me gives Mase the news about Dub moving out of their shared bedroom. Mase isn’t too happy to hear it.
Mason: So I have to sleep in there all by myself?
Melisa: Yes, but you’re a big boy, and you’ll be fine.
Dub leaves the table and is happy to climb into his own bed in his room. There will be no more listening to Mase snore and talk in his sleep all night. He won’t have to share anything and will have the privacy he wanted for the longest time.
But despite his mother’s encouragement, Mase enters his room and notes how enormous it suddenly feels. He misses Dub and is a little afraid to sleep alone. Who will protect him if a burglar breaks in and tries to steal him? What if he looks out his window and a giant monster face is staring back at him?
Mase’s imagination gets the best of him. He goes downstairs and asks his ma to help tuck him into bed. She’s glad to do it.
Melisa: We’re right across the hall if you need us.
Her warm kiss on his forehead makes him feel better. Maybe he’ll be okay after all.
Ma lingers around the kitchen while I’m cleaning up. Maybe she’s like Mase, not quite ready to be alone. I check in on her.
Kai: Is everything okay?
She lets out a deep sigh.
Prosperity: No. An old friend of mine passed away today.
Kai: Ma, I’m so sorry.
Prosperity: I should be used to it by now. It’s one of the curses of getting old.
Kai: Don’t feel bad for feeling bad about it, ma. Loss isn’t something that you can get used to.
I can see the gratitude spread across her face in the form of a smile.
Prosperity: No, it isn’t. You’re right.
Kai: I can stay up with you for a while. We can watch a movie.
Prosperity: No, I’m going to try and get some sleep.
Ma says this, but she doesn’t immediately turn to leave.
Prosperity: *reflective tone* In case I never told you – you’re the best thing to ever happen to me. I hate that I didn’t give you a better childhood. I know it was rough for you – not having a father. But you still turned out so well. I am so proud of you and of the family that you have. I love you all so much. I want you to know that.
Kai: It’s okay, ma. I know you love us, and we love you, too.
Ma smiles, then finally turns and walks away.
Prosperity: Good night, my beautiful boy!
I stand there a while until I hear her footfalls fade away and the door to her bedroom close. I pray this will not be the last time I see her alive. Maybe I should have insisted on us watching a movie together.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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