Me-Me searches the house for her mother and finds her sitting alone in the laundry room. Understandably, Jalisa hasn’t been herself since she and Leslie arrived. She’s been pensive and walks around with silent steps as if trying to disappear. So naturally, Me-Me is worried.
Melisa: Mom, are you okay?
Jalisa: I’m alright.
Melisa: Are you sure? Is there anything I can do for you? We haven’t really talked about da-
Jalisa: *interrupts* I’m fine Me-Me. I’m past the worst of it. This is why I didn’t want to come here at first. I don’t want anyone fussing over me.
Melisa: Sorry, but not sorry, mom. We’re all worried about you whether you want us to be or not – just like you’d be worried about us if the situation was reversed.
Jalisa: *deep sigh* Yeah, I know.
Melisa: *slight hesitation* Mom, I was thinking, and I wanted to ask if you’d consider moving in with us.
Jalisa: No, I can’t do that.
Melisa: Why not? You don’t have to worry about your house. Jalin and Justina will take good care of it.
Jalisa: Yeah, but Leslie needs me. My baby has some special needs, and Jay and Justy work too hard to give him the attention required.
Melisa: But, mom – they’ll have to work it out sooner or later.
Jalisa: Like when I’m dead?
Melisa: That’s not what I was going to say.
Jalisa: It doesn’t matter. I’m not leaving Newcrest. That’s where your father and I met and where we always lived. So Henford could never be my home.
Melisa: Okay. I understand, but the offer still stands if you ever change your mind.
Jalisa: And I appreciate that – don’t think that I’m not grateful. You’re a good daughter. Your father and I have always been proud of you.
Melisa: Thank you, mom.
Jalisa looks down at her phone after receiving a text from Lia just as Dub reenters the house. It’s time for him to get ready for the prom, so he grabs his father, and they go to his bedroom.
We enter Dub’s room and go to his closet.
Kai: Let’s see what you already have in there.
Dub opens it. I grab the first suit and dress pants I see and have Dub put them on.
Kai: What do you think about that one?
Dub looks down at himself.
Wade: I hate it! Why do I even have this?
Kai: Let’s try again. I’m sure you have something in there.
Dub opens the closet and pulls out a classic black suit.
Wade: This is more like it!
Kai: Do you know what color Perla’s dress is?
Wade: She sent me a picture. It’s burgundy.
Kai: You two will be a great-looking couple.
After Dub is dressed…
Kai: The Crews family should be here soon. I want you to remember what I said. Be respectful! Mo is my best friend, and I don’t want anything ruining that.
Wade: I will, dad.
Kai: Okay, finish getting ready, and I’ll see you downstairs.
I leave Dub’s bedroom just as the doorbell rings.
Me-Me directs Perla to our bathroom to get ready while we entertain Shay and Mo downstairs.
Maurice: I have to admit – I never saw this coming.
Kai: Neither did I.
Maurice: I still think Perla’s too young to date, but if it has to be any boy – I’m glad it’s your son. At least I know he’s been raised right.
Me-Me and I have done our best, but we’re not perfect, and our sons are not perfect. The final results of what type of men they’ll be are up to them, but I nod in agreement and keep those thoughts to myself.
Thirty minutes later, Perla and Dub make their way down the stairs. Of course, we all insist they get together and pose for pictures. Just as I predicted, they make a great-looking couple.
Melisa: Aww, look at them! I hate that I didn’t go to my prom.
Shania: *to Perla* Smile, baby. You look gorgeous!
As the two proud moms admire the couple, I grab my camera.
I get a couple of great shots before it’s time for them to leave and head off to the prom. We – the parents are all smiles, but I can’t help but notice the disapproval on Mase’s face. I don’t know when he decided to come downstairs, but it probably would have been better for him not to see Perla and Dub together like this.
Although Perla does not attend Cooperdale High School, her prom, like most of the local dances in the area, is hosted at the Copperdale High School’s auditorium. Once they arrive, Dub and Perla go to the picture booth outside to take another picture. They’re both feeling flirty and just a bit shy, and it shows in the shot.
Inside the lobby, they take even more pictures. So they’ll have plenty of photos to ensure they always remember this night.
They’re finally ready to enter the party. Perla walks ahead while Dub admires how pretty she looks in her dress. He holds his head up as he escorts her inside, sure that he has the most beautiful date here.
Once they enter the auditorium, Dub goes straight to the booth to vote for prom royalty.
Perla: What are you doing?
Wade: Voting for you.
Perla: Please don’t.
Wade: Who else would I vote for? I don’t know anyone else here, and anyway, the baddest girl at Windenburg High deserves my vote.
Perla blushes at the compliment.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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