As Dray and I return home, I can’t think about anything but the items we discovered in my grandparents’ storage unit. So I take it all into the garage, sort through it, and spend a few hours, hopefully getting to know more about my father’s side of the family.
Luckily the boys are old enough that they don’t need constant supervision from me. Mase and Dub each have chores they need to do and homework – which gives me plenty of time to complete my task in peace.
But on the other hand, I’m sure Dray has found plenty of things to get into that he shouldn’t be doing. I make a mental note to check on him as I go out back and make a vain attempt to fix my rock climbing treadmill so that I can call Stef and Mo over to practice. As soon as I make some headway, it begins to rain, breaking it all over again. I give up.
Me-Me is in the kitchen preparing dinner when I finally go back inside. I can tell by the look on her face that she hasn’t had the best day at work. So I share my discovery with her, hoping it’ll lift her spirits.
Kai: Dray and I took a trip out to Windenburg today.
Melisa: Really? Why – what’s in Windenburg?
Kai: A storage facility. My father opened one after my grandparent’s passed away. It contained all their personal items and even pictures of them.
Melisa: Oh wow! That’s huge, Kaby.
Kai: I know. I was going through everything in the garage – and guess what… *slight pause* my grandmother knew I existed.
Melisa: *surprised* She did?
Kai: Yes, she was a family court judge, and I found some papers she had drawn up attempting to get the right to see me.
Melisa: Like some type of custody? Peri would never have allowed that.
Kai: Probably not
Melisa: I wonder how they found out about you.
Kai: Maybe my father eventually told them.
Melisa: I wonder what happened – why didn’t they continue to pursue it?
Kai: Well, I’d imagine it was hard to pursue because my father didn’t even know my name until he met me for the first time as a teen.
Melisa: Wow
Kai: I’ll keep digging to see what else I can learn.
Melisa: I’m happy for you, Kaby. How did you even discover the storage facility?
I tell Me-Me all about the bill I received and give her more details on what else was in the storage facility.
Melisa: I wonder why your father decided to store their stuff rather than just get rid of it? It must have cost a fortune to have paid it up all these years.
Kai: Maybe he wanted me to find it, but only after he was gone.
Melisa: Maybe – I guess that makes sense. Either way, I’m glad you found it.
After our conversation, I see Dray and Belle playing in a big puddle on the floor.
Kai: Why is it wet right here?
I don’t know if it’s pee or water, but I get to work cleaning it right before making lemonade and settling down at the table to eat dinner.
After dinner, Me-Me pulls out our Christmas tree in preparation for Winterfest tomorrow. Then we give Dray his birthday presents, including those from his grandparents and uncle. Afterward, I sit him and Mase down to discuss bedroom arrangements.
Kai: Mase, since you’ll be a teen in a few days – I thought we could convert the nursery into a bedroom for you. Then you will each have your own bedrooms.
Mason: That’s okay; I want to share with Dray.
Kai: Are you sure?
Mason: Yes
Kai: Is that okay with you, Dray?
Drake: Only if I get the top bunk.
Mason: I sleep on the bottom anyway.
I can’t help but wonder why Mase is reluctant to have his own bedroom. Is he still afraid to be alone?
Kai: Well, I guess that settles it then. We’ll turn the nursery into a game room we can all share.
After everyone settles into their beds, Me-Me and I spend a few moments together relaxing on ours.
Kai: I could tell something was bothering you today. Is it work again?
Melisa: It is. Ugh – I’m so frustrated. I work harder than anyone, but I still haven’t received a promotion. Sometimes I want to tell my boss what he could do with the job.
Kai: You know we don’t need the money. You can quit anytime you want to.
Melisa: But I’m not a quitter, Kai. I worked too hard to earn my degree to throw it all away.
Kai: I understand, but if you’re not happy –
Melisa: I’ll be satisfied when I get a promotion.
Kai: Well, what’s holding you back? Is it just your boss?
Melisa: No. Honestly, it’s my robotics skill. I need to be at a certain level, and I’m almost there, but… *trails off*
Kai: But what? Winter Break is coming up. So you’ll have plenty of time to study and increase your skill.
Melisa: You’re right! But why wait until Winter Break? In college, I used to study until late at night. So why not do it now? Thanks, Kaby.
Me-Me gets out of bed and pulls out her robotics textbook, which isn’t what I had in mind. I was hoping for some sexy time, but thanks to my big mouth, all I’ll get tonight is sleep.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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