Mase returns home from his chess meeting as Dub heads outside.
Wade: I’m going for a bike ride. Want to come?
Mason: No. I think I need a nap.
Wade: Okay, suit yourself.
Dub hops on his bike and rides along the path parallel to the River Bagley.
Dub stops when he gets to a nearby bridge. He realizes that he’s never really paid much attention to the river. It looks extra pretty in the late afternoon lighting, with sprinkles of sunshine reflecting off the gentle waves. He stares for a few moments before he gets a good idea.
His gran, Peri, gave him a camera for his 13th birthday. He never really valued the gift, but now – as he stares out at the slowly rushing water, the bridge, and the sun peering through the trees, he’s suddenly inspired to use it.
Dub thinks about the beauty of this small town and tries to come up with some good reasons why he might want to stay here. He even snaps a few shots and posts the best one to his Simstagram. Maybe if it gets a good reaction, he can post more photos of this beautiful place. Dub gives it some serious thought before hopping back on his bike.
Meanwhile, Dray decides to stay inside rather than go out and enjoy the beautiful Spring day. He’s not very motivated to play outside because he’d be by himself, and right now, there’s just no fun in that. So Dray goes into the office instead and decides to work on his typing skills. He was one of the slowest typists in his computer class today and missed part of his recess because of it. Practicing is the only way he’ll ever change that.
Dub is hungry after his bike ride, but he’s not interested in the leftovers in the refrigerator. He doesn’t see his ma or dad around, so preparing something to eat is up to him. He grabs some canned beans and hotdogs from the refrigerator – enough for the whole family- and decides to surprise everyone by making dinner.
Meanwhile, Mase is at the coffee maker fumbling around as he attempts to make coffee.
Wade: Since when do you drink coffee?
Mason: Since I can barely keep my eyes open to do my homework.
Wade: But why coffee?
Mason: It’s what everybody on the chess team drinks to get pumped up for competitions. Why do you care?
Dub thinks coffee is disgusting and can’t imagine why anyone would want to drink it.
Wade: I don’t. It’s whatever, dude.
Dub turns away from Mase and pours his dinner concoction into a serving bowl. Me-Me and Dray enter the kitchen soon after.
Melisa: I was just about to start dinner. I thought your dad was out walking Belle. When did he find time to cook?
Wade: He didn’t. I made that.
Me-Me pauses with a bowl in her hand. When did Dub start cooking? She’s a bit nervous to try it, but she sits at the table anyway, feeling a little proud that Dub took it upon himself even to try cooking for the family.
I enter the house after taking Belle out for a jog; feeling some pain from a pulled muscle. I admit I’ve been in denial about my body getting older. I can no longer head out the door for a jog without a good stretch. I’ll keep that in mind next time.
I‘m not hungry, but I take note of Me-Me’s empty bowl and Mase’s full one.
Kai: Franks and beans? Back to basics, eh?
Melisa: I didn’t cook. It was Dub.
Kai: *shocked* Our Dub? The Dub that actually lives here?
Melisa: Yeah, and it’s pretty good.
I’ll have to take her word for it. Although I’m not eating, I still sit at the table.
Kai: How was your speaking engagement today?
Melisa: It was excellent, and I finally got a promotion.
Kai: Congrats! But I’m not surprised. You’ve worked so hard – it’s about time they recognized that.
Melisa: Well, I lacked in a few areas, but I’ve finally arrived!
Kai: Yes, you have.
Mase leaves the table and heads upstairs while Me-Me tells me about her speech at the college today.
We go upstairs, and I sit back on the bed to relax while waiting for Me-Me to finish her bedtime routine. She finally comes to bed with something on her mind.
Melisa: We need to discuss our little busybody Dray.
Kai: Why? Did he prank the toilet again?
Melisa: No, but we need to get control of his mischievous tendencies before it becomes a big problem. He pretty much terrorized poor little Leslie while he was here visiting.
Kai: Yeah, I noticed. I had to intervene a few times before things got out of hand.
Melisa: Me too.
Kai: Maybe we should sign him up for an afterschool activity.
Melisa: What do you have in mind?
Kai: He can burn some of that extra energy as a scout.
Melisa: Good idea. I’ll look into it tomorrow.
I wince as I shift my position on the bed.
Melisa: You okay?
Kai: No, I pulled a muscle in my back during my jog today.
Me-Me tells me to get up, and she scoots beside me on the side of the bed.
Melisa: Maybe this will help.
She begins to rub the muscles in my back. Her warm touch does nothing for my pulled muscle, but having her hands all over me still feels good. Maybe I can take advantage of the situation.
Kai: I think I pulled a muscle somewhere else. Can you rub that too?
She knows exactly where I’m heading with this.
Melisa: *laughs* Yeah, right. You’re not slick.
Kai: Maybe not, but it’ll make me forget about my back.
Melisa: Okay. I can help with that too.
Yes, she can, and I’m looking forward to it.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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