It’s a rough morning for Me-Me after discovering that her mother passed away in the middle of the night. She was just with her. If she knew it would be the last time she’d see her, Me-Me would have held on to her and never let her go. She’s glad it’s Egg Day, so she doesn’t have to go to work, and the kids are off from school. They can be together and mourn as a family.
Although Dub is also grieving for his grandmother, he has other things on his mind that eliminates some of the sting. He gets on his computer and finally fills out an application to apply for college. Dub’s not sure what he’d like to study or if he wants to go, but he applies anyway to have the option open.
Just as he sends the completed application, he receives a text from Perla.
Perla’s text: My parents said yes! We can go on a date.
Dub is relieved and glad to hear that, but he can’t help but wonder why it took so long for Perla’s parents to agree. Either way, he’s looking forward to spending time with her today.
Just like when Gran Peri and Grandpa Merlin died, Mase is finding it difficult to cope. All he can think about is death – as if it’s surrounding him, threatening to drown him. Like before, Mase is afraid of what this means for his parents. They are even older now than they were then – how much longer until he’ll also say goodbye to them?
Mase’s thoughts are interrupted when Dub comes down the stairs.
Wade: Why do you have your school uniform on? We don’t have school today.
Mason: Oh, I forgot.
Wade: Nobody forgets a day off from school. You must be losing it.
Mason: I’m not losing it; I was just sad about Grandma and wasn’t thinking.
Wade: Yeah, okay – I get that. I’m sad about it too.
Part of the Egg Day tradition is cleaning. Me-Me comes down the stairs and sends the older boys off to help on the farm while she pulls out a vacuum to tidy up the floors. She’s determined not to spend the entire day moping around. And cleaning takes her mind off her loss – even if it’s just for a moment.
After cleaning the floor, Me-Me checks a text from her brother, Jay. Jay and Lia are already discussing making burial arrangements, but Me-Me could use a few hours of not thinking about that, so she decides not to respond immediately.
Instead, she looks up and sees Dray standing there.
Melisa: Are you okay?
Drake: Yeah, but I was just wondering – are we still allowed to do happy things today?
Me-Me pauses for a moment before answering.
Melisa: That’s exactly what your grandmother would want us to do.
As she says the words, she knows that she’s right. Her mother wouldn’t want it any other way.
Me-Me continues…
Melisa: Can you help me make something sweet for Egg Day?
Drake: Okay. What should we make?
As I enter the kitchen, Me-Me and Dray begin work on making Rice Crispy treats. Losing Jalisa is like losing my mom again, so I can imagine all the pain that Me-Me is going through. But I watch her with admiration as she interacts with Dray with nothing but love and patience.
I also watch all that disappear as Dub enters the kitchen with an untimely announcement.
Wade: I have a date with Perla today. We’re going to the movies.
Me-Me doesn’t respond immediately, but I can tell by how she slams the treats she just made down on the plate that she heard him and is not happy about it. She turns and walks towards him.
Melisa: Today? You’re going out on a date today?
Wade: Yeah
I sigh at Dub’s cluelessness.
I’m glad Me-Me is standing next to me when Dub responds because I’m afraid for him when I see the look she shoots his way. We’ve done our best to raise our sons to be considerate. And knowing my wife, Me-Me, wanted to spend this day of loss with family. Dub coming into the kitchen to say that he’s going out today of all days is incredibly insensitive. I do not doubt that he’s in mourning and dealing with it in his way, but the selfishness of it all isn’t it.
Me-Me continues shooting lasers of disappointment at Dub as she leaves out of the back door. I probably would have followed her, but it’s wiser to give her a few moments alone to process Dub’s actions.
Dub ages up tomorrow. He’ll be a grown man and solely responsible for dealing with the repercussions of his decisions. I don’t even bother addressing it but rather let him stew in it. Instead, I turn my attention to Dray.
Drake: Ma said it’s okay to do happy things today, so can we still go fishing?
Kai: Yeah, your ma is right. Let’s go.
I don’t look at Dub directly, but I can see him shifting uncomfortably in his seat at the table. Not addressing his behavior is more powerful than if I lectured him. I act like I don’t see him and follow Dray to the pond.
Dub feels the tension. He knows why his parents are mad. He didn’t mean to hurt his ma’s feelings, but he’s wanted to go out with Perla for a long time. He doesn’t want to blow this final chance. Why can’t they understand that? If Dray is allowed to do happy things, why can’t he?
Dub gets up from the table and marches towards the stairs to prepare for his date, but now the excitement he felt earlier has been deflated. The pressure of always living up to his parent’s expectations is tough, and he’s sick of it.
Wade: *repeats to himself* I can’t wait to be out of this house. I can’t wait to be out of this house!
We run into the Spring Bunny outside, but Dray is not distracted from his mission. He stops to talk to the bunny, but only for a moment.
Drake: I’m busy right now. I’m going fishing with my dad.
At least Dray knows the importance of spending time with family on this day of mourning. We grab our poles and give fishing our best shot, but we can’t catch anything.
Kai: How about I teach you how to play basketball instead? Can’t you earn a badge for that too?
Drake: I think so.
I’ve never been a basketball player, but I’ve always been athletic, so hitting shot after shot is not difficult. I show Dray how to shoot, but I’m winning, so he’s not too happy about it.
Drake: Hey! You’re supposed to be teaching me, not beating me!
He’s right. I guess I got too excited.
Kai: Oh. Sorry, son.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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