As soon as I see Uncle Merit, I know that visiting him and his family is a good idea. He and his wife, Roni, are the only ones left of ma’s generation, so they are a great reminder to give as much love as possible to the family members that are still around.
Kai: I’m embarrassed that this is our first time here. We’re neighbors.
Merit: It’s okay, Kai. I know what it’s like trying to raise a family. The days go by quickly, and the next thing you know, years have passed.
Kai: Yeah, but it’s not an excuse. I promise to be better at visiting.
Uncle M stares at me for a moment before changing the subject.
Merit: I’m so sorry for your loss, Kai.
Kai: I’m sorry for yours too.
Merit: Yeah, I’m going to miss my big sis. She was over here almost every day towards the end.
Kai: Oh wow – I didn’t know that.
Merit: Yeah. She wanted to paint a family portrait of us, but we struggled to get everyone together long enough to do it. *emotional sigh* But, now we’ve run out of time.
Uncle M leads us inside, where Aunt Roni is waiting to greet us. She takes us into the living room and offers us a seat.
Veronica: There is food prepared in the dining room. And the children are welcome to go up to Bri’s bedroom. She has some toys in there that they can play with.
Melisa: Thanks, Roni. This is all very kind of you.
Mase and Dub leave the room and follow their cousin, Bri, up the stairs to her bedroom.
I sit and look around at the bold living room décor just as my cousin Terra, who’s all grown up now, walks in. She sits down next to me.
Kai: Terra! Good to see you again.
Terra: You too, Kai.
Terra and I discuss her plans to attend Foxbury Institute in the spring, while Me-Me talks with Aunt Roni. Uncle M finally enters the room, and it’s time to get down to business discussing burial plans for ma.
Kai: It looks like we have no choice but to take care of it tomorrow.
Merit: That’s what I figured. Our family tomb is several hours away in Willow Creek. I can call them and make the arrangements if you’d like. Then we can decide whether to drive or book a flight.
Kai: We might even have to consider staying the night out there. That would be a lot of travel in one day for the kids.
Merit: Good point
Upstairs, Dub and Bri make their way into her bedroom and sit on her bed while Mase and Dray occupy themselves with the oversized doll house in the corner.
Wade: Wow! Your bedroom is very – pink. Is it your favorite color?
Brianna: No, the décor was all my mom’s idea. Dad fought against pink and purple for the walls downstairs, so she focused on my bedroom instead.
Wade: Well, that sucks, but at least you got a double bed. My room is too small for anything but a twin.
Brianna: Then I guess I won’t complain too much.
Wade: I missed you at school on Friday.
Brianna: Yeah, I was supposed to start Friday, but since all they had scheduled were exams, we thought it best that I wait until Monday. How is it so far?
Wade: It’s okay, but it’ll be much better when you’re there.
Brianna: The Banks family takeover! I can’t wait.
Wade: Me neither.
Roni calls the children down to the dining room to eat. Everyone is still very sad about Peri’s death, but the catered food is so good that they all manage to work up an appetite. Roni brews and serves some tea. Me-Me comes to the dining room to enjoy a mug.
We arrive home late. Dray is tired and cranky, which isn’t unusual for him at this time of night. It’s Mase that has me concerned. I follow him up to his room and help him to bed. He lies down but isn’t quite ready to go to sleep.
Mason: Are you and mommy going to die too?
Kai: What?
Mason: What if I go to sleep and you’re dead like gran when I wake up?
I lean over and tuck him into bed.
Kai: What makes you think that?
Mason: You said that everything dies.
Kai: Yes, I did – but each in its own time. Just because gran died doesn’t mean that your ma and I will die too – at least not anytime soon. We plan to be around for a long time to see you grow up and have your own kids. But, if it makes you feel better – I’ll stay with you until you’re asleep.
Mason: Okay
I climb up to the top bunk and lay back on the pillow, trying to come up with ways to reassure Mase that everything will be okay.
Dub enters his bedroom and sees his gran’s last painting on his wall. He’s sure that his dad was the one to do it. It makes him smile and feel closer to her. He changes into his pajamas and climbs into bed.
After about 20 minutes, I call Mase’s name softly to ensure he’s finally asleep. Then I climb down quietly, go to my room, and change into my pajamas.
As I enter my bedroom and look down at Me-Me’s sleeping face, I realize that tomorrow is our anniversary. But it’s also the day that we’ll be burying ma. I don’t know how I can mourn ma, but at the same time, make the day memorable for my wife. I’m sure that’s the last thing on Me-Me’s mind, but her kindness and selflessness make it even more critical for me to figure it out.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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