It’s Spring, which means it’s planting season, and there’s a ton of work on the farm to prepare. So I dress quickly and leave my bedroom just as Dub emerges from his. The holidays are over, so it’s back-to-school time for all three boys.
Dub, Mase, and Drake gather in the kitchen with Jalisa to eat and say their goodbyes before leaving for school. Jalisa and Leslie return home today. I can tell by the look on Jalisa’s face as she watches the boys that she enjoyed her time here with our family.
Outside, I work alongside our gardener, Evan, to get the greenhouse cleaned up and ready for a new season. We also reseed, fertilize, and water the outdoor plots. Now that the boys are back in school, ensuring that animals are fed, cleaned, and cared for is my job again.
It’s also back to work for Me-Me. She wakes up to a great opportunity from her job. Her boss wants her to be a guest speaker at a Mechanical Engineering class at her Alma Mater – Foxbury Institute. Me-Me is honored. But before she leaves, she grabs a glass of milk from the refrigerator, then goes outside to find her mother, Jalisa.
Me-Me tells Jalisa about her work assignment.
Jalisa: That’s a fantastic opportunity for you Me-Me. Are you excited?
Melisa: I am, but I almost don’t deserve it.
Jalisa: Why not? You’re brilliant and amazing at your job.
Melisa: Thanks, mom, but you don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to give up and quit.
Jalisa: I believe I do know. Were you aware that I quit law for years to pursue a job in journalism?
Melisa: You did?
Jalisa: Yes – only to realize I hated it. I returned to law but had to start at entry-level and take a significant pay cut.
Melisa: I had no idea.
Jalisa: The point is, thinking about quitting is not the same as actually doing it. You’ve stuck with it, so you deserve every opportunity that comes your way!
Hearing this from Jalisa makes Me-Me feel so much better. She always believed her mom was an unstoppable superhero, but now she realizes that Jalisa is human just like she is.
Me-Me stands up and holds her arms out to her mother. Jalisa gets up to accept the hug.
Melisa: Thank you, mom! I’m so glad you came. I’m going to miss having you around!
Jalisa: I’ll miss you too!
Me-Me arrives at the Foxbury campus a few hours later, ready for her guest speaking opportunity. Being back at her old stomping grounds brings back so many memories. She reflects on the first time she saw Kai, the campus parties she attended, and her roommate Shay. Not even in her most imaginative dreams would she have guessed she’d ever be where she is now. She leaves those memories where she stands and hurries off to her assigned class. She’ll have time to review her notes if she arrives early enough.
Me-Me’s confidence is through the roof after her speaking engagement. Her mom was right; she is amazing at her job. She’ll remember the inspired looks on the faces of the students for the rest of her life – especially the female students, who tend to be the underdogs when seeking career opportunities in Engineering. Me-Me pauses to take a few selfies. This is a moment to cherish.
She receives a message from her boss soon after she arrives home. She’s finally received the promotion she worked so hard to get. One more step until she’ll be at the very top of her career. There’s no way she’s quitting and giving up now.
Me-Me enters the house and sees Dray sitting on the couch watching TV. Her confidence in her career has grown, but can she be just as confident as a parent? She and Dray have an unresolved issue that she needs to address.
She walks over to him.
Melisa: Hello, Dray. How was school?
Drake: Hi, ma! It was good.
Melisa: Glad to hear that. Have you completed your homework yet?
Drake: No. I’m in the middle of watching –
Me-Me cuts him off.
Melisa: The rule is homework first, then TV.
Drake: But, ma –
Melisa: I’m serious, Dray. *sits on the couch* We should also talk about your little prank yesterday. You could have cost us a lot of money in plumbing and water damage repair bills. That’s not okay.
Drake: So, am I in trouble?
Melisa: It’s not about being in trouble. It’s about taking responsibility for your actions. So for the next three days, I want you to clean your bathroom’s toilet, sink, and bathtub every day – just like I had to clean up after you last night. You will also mop the floor.
Drake: Before or after my homework?
Melisa: After. And no more pranks! Do you hear me?
Drake: Yes, mommy.
Melisa: Good. Now go ahead and get started.
Dray gets up to do what his ma says, but he still can’t resist trying to regain some control of the situation.
Drake: Can I sit here at the piano and do my homework?
Melisa: I don’t care where you do it, as long as it gets done.
Me-Me sits there for a while to make sure he gets started; then, she heads upstairs to change.
Drake works until he completes his homework. But the TV show he wanted to watch is off now, and he has nothing else to do. He’s already missing having his cousin Leslie over to play with.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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