Drawn in by the loud music, Mase enters the garage, sees us working out, and wants in on the action. I can already see this becoming a regular thing with us, and I’m all for it.
Dad enters the garage next, and for once, he’s not shocked to see us boys doing something together. On the contrary, he seems thrilled.
Kai: I was wondering what was going on in here.
Dad sits down nearby. I guess he’s staying for a while.
Kai: You guys keep this up, and you won’t be flabby when you get old. See this *flexes his muscle* – I may be old, but I’m strong.
He didn’t have to tell me. I have always been impressed by Dad’s physique.
Mason: Is that from lifting weights?
Seeing Dad flexing inspires me to move over to the weight machine.
Kai: Yeah, some weights, but it’s mostly from climbing. I also try to do some push-ups every day when I wake up. Let me show you how to do a perfect push-up.
Dad gets up to demonstrate, but Mase and Dray are too distracted by the music to pay him more attention.
I can almost feel my muscles getting stronger. I’ll incorporate more weights into my workout routine from now on.
Dad finishes his demonstration and heads out the door to take care of the crops, and Dray leaves for his first scout meeting soon after. He’s feeling extra excited after discovering that working out will earn him another badge.
Mase has also given up on his workout. He pulls out his muscles and flexes before his cell phone camera.
Mason: How long do you think it’ll take for me to get muscles like Dad?
Wade: The other side of forever if you continue to play around like you are right now.
Mase doesn’t get a chance for a comeback before his cell rings. His face lights up as he answers it.
Mason: Oh, hey!
I know that voice. It’s the ‘I’m talking to a girl’ voice. I’m pretty sure he’s not talking to Perla, so who could it be? I don’t stick around long enough to find out. I’m a grown man now, and I don’t have time to get in the middle of any teenage love dramas. I leave the garage and walk towards the stairs.
In my bathroom, I see that sweat has ruined my hairstyle. I’ll have to be on the lookout for a way to keep it neat while I work out.
I wash up, redress and go to the computer to check my college application status, only to find out they still haven’t accepted me. Why does this take so long? Isn’t everything computer automated now? Feeling fed up, I click on a different website to check out a few job listings. The only one to capture my attention is an opening in social media. I’m intrigued, but I’d be working for someone else. I could use some advice on if I should wait on my college acceptance, take a job, or try to come up with my own thing.
Ma is downstairs, which is perfect. She’s a great person to ask for advice, and she’ll give it to me without preaching about being a man and making responsible decisions like Dad would. I sit beside her, waiting for a chance to interrupt her studies. It seems that Ma is always studying. I thought that was over once you finished college.
I take a chance, hoping that she’s open to the intrusion.
Wade: Ma, can I talk to you about something?
Ma closes her book.
Melisa: Of course, Dubby. What’s up?
Wade: I wanted to know how you’d feel about me skipping college.
Ma’s eyes narrow immediately.
Melisa: Is that what you plan on doing?
That’s not an answer; that’s a question. Ma gets up to put her book away while I formulate a response.
Wade: Maybe.
Melisa: Did you even apply?
I need advice here, Ma, not an interrogation.
Wade: Yeah, Ma. I did, but they haven’t accepted me yet. But I’ve been thinking that maybe college isn’t for me. I want to go a different route.
Melisa: I’m listening, but you’d better tell me something real. Do you have a plan?
Wade: I’m still working that out, but I’m considering starting a media company – like Uncle Jay.
Ma sits back down. I continue.
Wade: I talked to him about it – when we visited after Gran Peri’s funeral.
Melisa: And what did he say?
Wade: He said it started as just a hobby and then became a full-time job.
Melisa: Did he also tell you he had a team when he started? He didn’t go at it alone – his friends helped him.
Wade: Yeah, I know. I have friends, too.
Melisa: I’m not trying to talk you out of it, Dubby. Your Dad told me what you said about me not being happy with my job, so I figured we’d have this conversation sooner or later.
Wade: Dad told you about that?
Melisa: He did
Dad is a snitch.
Melisa: *continues* And you weren’t wrong. There was a time that I was very unhappy with my job. I even considered quitting. But anybody can become dissatisfied with their job – even someone doing what you want to do.
Wade: I know
Melisa: But find something that makes you happy. Neither of my siblings went to college, and they’re both wildly successful. I once—
Ma is interrupted by Dray hurrying into the house.
Drake: Guess who has more badges than anyone in his troop! This guy!
I get up and walk over to Dray. Now that he’s back home, it’s time for us to get out of the house and find some way to celebrate our birthdays tonight. I have an idea, but I’d like to finish my conversation with Ma first.
Wade: What were you about to say?
Melisa: Nothing important. If you feel like you want to do something, follow your heart. College will always be there – if you change your mind.
That’s what I needed to hear.
Wade: Thanks, Ma.
I turn to face my brothers. I inspect them to see if they look cool enough to hang out with me.
Wade: Mase, you look alright. Dray, change immediately. You’re not coming with me looking like that.
Drake: But where are we going?
Wade: To celebrate! You didn’t think we’d let the night pass without doing anything, did you?
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
Thanks for reading! Please hit the “like” button if you’ve enjoyed what you read! Keep scrolling if you’d like to leave a comment. 🥰
