I spend the early part of the following day packing up my room. I’ve packed the stuff I’ll be leaving behind into two big trunks, mainly clothes I won’t ever wear again. Mase and Dray can decide if they want to divide it up. Everything else is in a big box and the one suitcase I’m holding.
I step out into the upstairs hallway. Today is the day I move out of the home I’ve lived in all my life. Despite being anxious to move on, I’ll miss this place, with its cozy kitchen and tiny bathrooms, the orchard, the pond, the tree house, and even the creepy pig statue here in the hallway that used to scare the crap out of me when I was little. I give the pig a departing glance before moving on.
Downstairs, I find Ma, Dad, and Dray in the kitchen. Ma is cooking breakfast, and Dad and Dray seem to be waiting for me.
I say my goodbyes to Dray first. Although he’s trying to act too cool to miss me, I know he will. I’ll miss him too.
Next up is Ma. She pulls me in and squeezes me tight.
Melisa: I’m going to miss you so much. You be careful out there in this big scary world!
Nice! So reassuring.
Wade: I will, Ma.
Melisa: *after the hug* Remember, Dubbie, this will always be your home. If things get rough – you can always come back. Okay? I love you so much, and you can come to me for anything – don’t forget!
Wade: I’ll remember. I love you too, Ma.
I look at Dad, who hasn’t gotten up from his stool yet.
Kai: We have some good news for you.
Wade: You do?
I can always use some good news, but what can be better than finally moving out?
Kai: The house is ready. You can move in today.
Wade: Oh wow! Are you serious? How?
Kai: Ma called the realtor and worked her magic.
Wade: Ma! You did that for me?
I knew Ma would be my greatest advocate.
Melisa: I wasn’t about to have you staying in some trashy motel.
Wade: Thank you!
Ma pulls out her phone and checks her email.
Melisa: Here’s a message from the previous owner. She says that the key will be in the mailbox.
This day is going better than I thought it would.
Dad finally gets up and walks over. He pulls me into an even tighter embrace than Ma did.
Kai: My son! My firstborn son!
Wade: I’ll make you proud, Dad. I promise.
Without letting me go, Dad says something that I need to hear.
Kai: I was proud of you from the day you were conceived. I love you, and I know that you’ll do great things!
Conceived – ew, but I still appreciate the sentiment.
Wade: *emotional* I love you too!
Ma tries to convince me to eat breakfast, but I’m too anxious. Instead, I say my last two goodbyes. I hug Mase when he finally comes down the stairs.
Wade: Good luck at Foxbury!
Mason: Thanks! Good luck in Brindleton Bay.
Wade: You’d better come and visit.
Mason: I’ve already been searching for ticket deals.
Wade: Good!
My last goodbye, surprisingly one of the toughest, is for Belle. Gran gave her to us long ago, and now she’s getting so old and fragile. I hope this isn’t the last time I see her. If I could take her with me, I would.
Wade: Goodbye, Belle! You are a good family dog. Take care of my brothers for me!
I place Belle back on the floor. It’s time for me to go. I pick up my suitcase and walk out the door with Ma and Dad watching me from the porch. I know they are sad to see me go. It makes me sad, too. But it doesn’t detract from the excitement of moving into my new life.
Several hours later, I’m in Brindleton Bay – standing in front of my new home…if you can call it that. The house my parents bought for me was once a factory building, specifically a part of the pet food cannery next door. And to me – it still looks like one. Enamored with interior pictures of this place, I didn’t pay enough attention to the outside. I guess it’ll grow on me.
But worse, the entire area has a pungent, intense briny fish smell. If only the realtor’s website had warned me. Shouldn’t bad smells be a part of every real estate listing? Ugh, maybe if I go inside, the scent won’t be as prominent.
I find my key in the mailbox just like Ma said I would and unlock the door. I step inside and finally get my first live look at the place. I can still smell fish, but the furniture and decor almost make up for it. It’s nice and modern – a true bachelor’s pad. I can see myself impressing the ladies here if they can get past it smelling like the sea.
The living room is cozy with a big-screen TV. I’ll spend plenty of time here, curled up watching TV – hopefully with someone special in my arms. Through an open door is an outdoor patio space that’s almost as big as my living room and kitchen combined. My Dad warned me against throwing parties, but this place is begging for big gatherings. I walk over to the stairs to see what’s at the top.
At the landing, there’s a space perfect for a desk and computer, maybe even big enough for an entire media station. After that, there’s the bathroom, but I only take a quick peek. I’m most interested in the bedroom. It’s bigger than the one I had at home, but not by much. Adjacent to it is another patio with lots of plants. Growing up in Henford, I’m naturally fond of plants – but I wouldn’t say I like caring for them. Still, this is the perfect place to plant the money tree seed that Dad gave me. I do it right away. Gardening is not my thing, but I love money, and this tree should give me plenty of it.
Now, it’s time to start making the place feel like home. I unpack some of my things and begin putting pictures up. I find the perfect spot, next to my bed, for Gran’s painting that I discovered after she died. I also place a picture of me and my brothers on the nightstand.
I noticed a big frame downstairs that can hold some of my smaller pictures. I place pictures in it and all around it. I notice that I don’t have a picture of Dad. I’ll have to remedy that next time I see him. I also don’t have a picture to fill the extra large spot in the frame. Maybe if I meet someone special, their picture can go there. But I can’t imagine finding someone I’ll like in his quiet seaside town.
Just as I’m thinking about it, there’s a knock at my door.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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