I send Mase a text to make sure everything is okay. He responds that all is well, so I confidently follow Inata deeper into the forest to the camp.
Inata: How much longer will you be here?
Wade: Two more nights
Inata: Oh, you should spend one here at the campgrounds. It would be a fun experience for your brothers.
Wade: Uh, I don’t think so. Camping isn’t really my thing.
Inata: Why not? Do you have something against tents?
Wade: No, I have something against bugs.
I stop and scan the turret that divides the sleeping grounds from the rest of the camp.
Inata: This is where I stay sometimes.
Now that has my attention.
Wade: Oh, really?
Inata: Yeah, but only if I have a good reason.
Wade: And what constitutes a good reason?
Inata: Different things, like – if I meet some new friends and they want to party out here.
Wade: What about if you meet just one special friend?
Inata: I don’t know – I guess it depends on how they feel about tents and bugs.
Is she playing with me? I don’t want to assume anything.
Wade: What does that mean?
Inata: Nothing. Come on; I have something else to show you.
Inata takes me to another vehicle, so I scan it and read the information.
Wade: Well, it’s getting late, and I’d better go and meet up with my brothers.
Inata: I have one last thing to show you before you go.
I send Mase and Dray a quick text letting them know I’ll be late. Then I walk with Inata to a pretty peaceful part of the forest.
Wade: Is this where you bring all your friends?
Inata: This is where I go if I want a place to think.
Wade: Oh
Inata: It can get intense working here sometimes.
Wade: In what way?
Inata: People come to Batuu to party and escape from reality, but sometimes they forget that those who work here are real people. We’re not just some animated props here for their amusement. They can sometimes get very – disrespectful.
Her tone is heavy, and I hear her becoming emotional. I can only imagine some of the things she’s gone through working here.
Wade: Damn – sorry about that. I hope I haven’t been that way.
Inata: No, you’ve treated me with nothing but kindness. I appreciate that.
Wade: Thanks for showing me around.
Inata: It’s been my pleasure.
Wade: I really have to get back to my brothers, but can I have your number, so we can meet again before I leave?
Inata: Yes, that would be great.
Inata gives me her number, and we hug before parting ways.
I arrive back at the outpost and find Mase and Dray. It’s been a long day, and we’ve seen so much. We return to the cantina for something to eat before going to bed for the night.
While the Banks Boys are finishing their evening in Batuu, Me-Me, and Kai, celebrate a special occasion. It’s Me-Me’s birthday.
Me-Me blows out the candles and ages up to an elder.
Kai: Happy Birthday, Me-Me. You’re just as beautiful as the day we met.
Melisa: I know that’s not true, but I appreciate you for saying that.
Kai: It is true. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Growing older with you has been an honor.
Melisa: Thank you, Kaby. It’s been an honor for me too.
She pulls Kai close and squeezes him tight.
Kai has prepared Me-Me’s favorite sushi. He dims the lights in the room and places candles on the table.
Melisa: This is so good!
Kai: Thank you. I’ve been practicing. I’m glad you like it.
Me-Me digs into the meal, but Kai is in a reflective mood.
Kai: I still remember that day like it was yesterday.
Melisa: The day we met?
Kai: Yeah. I saw you around campus but was too nervous to say anything.
Melisa: I noticed you too.
Kai: *surprised* You did?
Melisa: Yeah, how could I not?
Kai: What did you think – when you saw me?
Melisa: I thought you were easily the best-looking guy on campus.
Kai: Really? Had I known that maybe I would have approached you sooner.
Melisa: I was glad when you did. I thought you were even cuter up close – but a little clueless.
Kai: Clueless?
Melisa: Yeah, remember? You were supposed to show me how to get to my next class, but you took me to the wrong building.
Kai: That was just game.
Melisa: *chuckles* How so?
Kai: I was looking for an excuse to spend more time with you because you have the softest gray eyes I’d ever seen. And hearing your voice that first time…it was soothing and mellow, like gentle rain on Sunday morning. But when I saw you smile – remember how cold it was that morning? Your smile was like the summer sun coming out specifically to warm my heart. I wasn’t quite ready to let all of that go.
Melisa: Awww, Kaby. Why didn’t you tell me that before?
Kai: Because I was saving it for the right moment. *blows a kiss* See, game! I still got it.
Melisa: Yes, you do!
Kai: No, but all jokes aside. My pop-pop and father died soon after I met you.
Melisa: I remember
Kai: It was such a rough time for me, but you being in my life was the only thing that got me through all of that.
Kai and Me-Me take the party upstairs. Kai undresses and waits for Me-Me on the bed while she changes in the bathroom.
After a few moments, she steps out in a pretty pink lingerie. Kai would have loved to see her in his favorite – the line panties, but she’s beautiful in anything.
Kai gets up to greet her.
Kai: You’re gorgeous.
Melisa: Thank you. We need to send the boys away more often. These last few days with you have been the best.
Kai: Hey, maybe we can kick them all out. Dub can finish raising Mase and Dray. We’ll travel the world and woohoo in every 5-star resort we can find. *laughs*
Melisa: *smiles* If only. But you wouldn’t kick the boys out if you could.
Kai: No, but I can enjoy our time alone now.
Melisa: Then, what are we waiting for?
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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