Banks Dynasty – Day 64.3

It’s lottery day. I shouldn’t take it seriously, but somebody has to win it, right? I purchase a ticket just for fun, then go down to the kitchen for breakfast. Mase is sitting there working on his homework.

Kai: Why are you just now doing your homework?

Mason: I was too tired to finish it yesterday.

Kai: Did you go to bed too late?

Mason: No. I was already tired when I came home from chess club. I think I might have to quit. I don’t know how much longer I can do school and that.

Kai: Do whatever is best. Just let me know what I can do to support you.

Mason: Okay, dad.

I don’t get to sit and chat for long. As usual, farm work doesn’t wait. I go outside to start weeding the plots as everyone else finishes getting ready to start their days.

Me-Me gets dressed, eats a quick breakfast, and then goes outside to work on her robotics machine before work. As she walks over, she sends a short message to Stef to check on her sister, Lia. She’s happy to find out that Lia is finally out of bed and is beginning to look forward to the day the babies are born. Knowing Lia, it may not be for the right reason, but Me-Me takes it as a good start.

I move from the crops to the animals. I cautiously approach Cocoa Puffs for her milking, hoping for better results than yesterday. Meanwhile, Me-Me shows me some mercy by helping to fix and upgrade some of the broken items around the farm. I’m sure she knows how much I hate handiness from all my complaining. Either way, she does what she can before it’s time for her to leave for work.

Kai: *to Cocoa Puffs* It’s just you and me, girl. Let’s do this.

I sit down and begin the milking process. Afterward, I reward Cocoa Puffs with some gentle pats.

Kai: Nice work! Thanks for trusting in me.

I finish cleaning the stall and go to the climbing treadmill to work out, but it’s broken. Although Me-Me helped out as much as she could, it seems that there will always be something left to fix on the farm.

The boys arrive home and find quiet spots to complete their homework. Dub chooses the bench by the pond while Mase and Dray sit under the big tree in the yard. Dub’s grades are up, which has led to some pressure to start applying for colleges by his guidance counselor. Dub has already decided he’d rather avoid college, but his counselor is not taking no for an answer.

Working out will always be a big part of my life, and staying active will be even more critical as I get older. I start with a warm-up on the heavy bag, then finish by attempting another endurance challenge. The beginning of the climb is fine, but I cannot complete it. I’m a little discouraged but more determined than ever to keep working at it until I can beat my previous times.

Me-Me arrives home from work with some challenges of her own. She’s been putting so much time and effort in at work that she’s in a daze. She finds it hard to concentrate on anything else.

Kai: It sounds a lot like burnout to me. Maybe you need a vacation.

Melisa: I don’t think it’s a good time for me to start taking time off.

Kai: Well, how about doing something more creative for a while?

Melisa: Like what?

Kai: We have a keyboard over there that’s doing nothing but collecting dust. Maybe you could try that.

I remember Me-Me talking about how her nanny used to play piano, putting smiles on her and her siblings faces while belting out power ballads when they were young. I hope those memories are enough to encourage her to try it out.

Melisa: Nanny Brock taught us the basics of playing. Maybe I can try picking up where he left off.

I clean my dish as Dub comes over and joins Me-Me at the table. He’s sweaty and breathless, as if he’s been working out. Me-Me finishes up soon after and takes my advice. She sits down at the keyboard and begins pecking out a few notes.

Meanwhile, Dray practices riding his bike before giving up and returning to the house. Mase is already upstairs in bed when Dray enters their shared room.

Mason: *mumbling* Turn the light out!

Drake: I will, but first, I need to check on my badges.

Mason: Whatever! Just hurry up.

Dray wants to be the best scout in his troop. He’s already earned one badge, but he wants them all. He can already see that he has a long way to go before that happens.

I find Me-Me upstairs relaxing in our room by the time I finish cleaning up, showering, and dressing for bed. This is where I usually find her when she wants to talk.

Kai: Are you waiting for me?

Melisa: *flirty tone* Yes

Kai: Is there something we need to discuss?

She gives it some thought before she answers.

Melisa: No. No need to talk tonight.

I like the sound of that. I climb up under the covers and take my wife into my arms. Hoping we can come up with more creative ways to ease the symptoms of her burnout.

(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)

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