Mase and Dray weren’t at the dwelling when I arrived last night. I fell asleep waiting for them to return. But my stomach sinks when I wake up the following day, and they still aren’t there.
Where could they be? I dress quickly and leave the dwelling to seek them out. I pull out my phone and text them, praying that they respond. I start my search at the food spots and end at the Cantina. My texts go unanswered, and my brothers aren’t at any of those locations.
I’m in big trouble if I don’t locate them. But it’ll be worse if I don’t call Dad to tell him that they’re missing. I pull out my cell and dial. Dad answers on the first ring.
Kai: *on the phone* Maybe you can explain why two minors felt the need to fly home in the middle of the night?
Wade: What! They’re at home?
So Mase was serious when he said he wanted to go home. I’m just glad they’re safe.
Kai: Yes, but why are you just now finding this out?
Wade: I waited for them at the dwelling but fell asleep. How come nobody called me?
Kai: We figured you were on your way home too.
Wade: No, but I’m leaving now—sorry, Dad. I’ll see you soon.
I hang up before he can start lecturing me about the whole situation. I’m not quite ready to try and explain why this happened. That’s better reserved for a face-to-face conversation.
The weather is cloudy and rainy when I arrive in Henford. It matches my mood. I can’t believe that Mase was so mad that he left Batuu in the middle of the night. Was what I did that bad? I bet Ma and Dad are pissed.
I enter the house expecting to see Dad’s angry face as soon as I walk in. But instead, I’m greeted by Ma, who pulls me into a tight hug.
Melisa: I’m so glad you’re okay.
Wade: Of course I’m okay, ma.
I can only hope that Dad’s greeting will be as warm.
Melisa: What happened? We were shocked when Mase and Dray showed up here last night without you.
Wade: Mase and I had a misunderstanding, but I never thought they’d leave.
Dad walks in while I try to explain, but he passes by without saying anything. His screwed-up face and hunched shoulders tell me he’s not pleased.
Melisa: It had to be more than just that.
Wade: I don’t know, ma. Did you ask Mase and Dray? I don’t get it myself.
Melisa: Well, you’re all here now. That’s what’s important.
Ma picks up one of her robotics books and sits on the couch, but dad doesn’t let me off as easily.
Kai: You have to know something. What happened right before Mase became upset?
Dad will not let this go until I give him some sort of explanation.
Wade: Well – there was a girl.
Kai: A girl?
Something in my demeanor reveals more than I was willing to say.
Kai: Let’s go outside so we don’t disturb your ma. I want to hear more about this girl.
I reluctantly walk with Dad outside.
As we walk, I tell Dad about how we met Inata and about the situation in the bar.
Wade: I mistakenly made Mase think that Inata was into him. I didn’t realize until later that she was actually into me.
Kai: But you couldn’t just leave it at that?
Wade: I didn’t mean for things to go any further. She asked me to meet her and the next thing I know she’s kissing me…and then we were in a tent, and-
Dad puts the pieces together and can immediately see where I’m going.
Kai: Wait, so you woohooed with this girl?
I can’t tell if Dad is shocked, disappointed, angry, or simply trying to discover what happened.
Wade: I, well – yeah.
Wade: Are you mad?
Kai: At what? You’re a grown man. It’s up to you when you decide to woohoo – as long as you’re safe and use protection.
I involuntarily flinch.
Kai: Don’t tell me you didn’t use protection.
Wade: I didn’t exactly expect anything to happen.
Kai: You should always expect it and carry protection just in case. You know that a pregnancy can happen the first time, right? We already talked about this.
There’s urgency in Dad’s voice, and based on his background, I understand why.
Wade: I know, Dad. It won’t happen again.
Kai: I hope not. *heavy sigh* Try to keep in touch with the girl as much as possible. Not knowing about a potential child is no excuse for not being a father. *short pause* But what happened with Mase? Please don’t tell me he saw the two of you.
Wade: He only saw us kissing afterward. Then he said he wanted to go home, but I didn’t think he’d actually leave. We had a short argument, but it was mainly about Perla. I tried to apologize, but he walked away, and that was the last time I saw him and Dray.
Kai: Well, you need to make this right. Congrats on reaching a new milestone, but I wish it had happened under different circumstances.
Wade: Yeah, me too.
Suddenly, Dray is there.
Drake: So you made it back.
I’m surprised at how irked I feel when I see him.
Wade: I did. Why did you do it, Dray? I can see why Mase left, but why did you? I looked everywhere for you guys.
Drake: I left because I was caught between something I didn’t want to be caught up in. And it didn’t matter if I went or stayed – one of you would be mad at me.
He’s right. My anger deflates.
Wade: I’m not mad, and sorry to put you through that.
I suddenly remember the gifts I purchased in Batuu.
Wade: I have something for you.
Dad gets up to take care of some things on the farm. I walk over to Dray and give him a box. He opens it immediately.
Drake: No way! A lightsaber! Thank you. It’s what I really wanted, but I didn’t have enough credits.
Wade: I know
I see Mase passing by from the corner of my eye as Dray continues thanking me for the gift. I hope Mase will be just as pumped when I give him his. Dray puts the parts of the lightsaber together.
Drake: I’m going to kick so much ass with this!
I’m glad the lightsaber is nothing more than a high-tech toy, or else I’d be worried after hearing that.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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