I receive a call from Ma first thing the following day. I answer it right away.
Wade: *on the phone* Hey Ma! Is everything okay?
Melisa: *on the phone* Mostly, but I have bad news to deliver.
I tense in anticipation.
Wade: What is it?
Melisa: Belle passed away this morning.
The news feels like a punch to my gut.
Wade: Oh no
Melisa: I’m sorry to have to tell you that. *short pause* But I was also calling because we wanted to come for a visit today. It’s about time we saw the place, and we’ve all missed you. Are you busy?
Wade: No, I’m not busy – I miss you too. What time?
Melisa: We’re on our way and should be there in under an hour.
In under an hour! I end the call with Ma and hug Hiro in honor of our family dog Belle. Belle has been a part of our family since I was a child. I already regretted leaving her behind when I moved out, and now I’ll never see her again.
But I don’t have time to dwell on that for long. My family will be here any minute. I pull out my vacuum and move quickly about the house to prepare it for their visit. This will be the first time they see my place, and I want them to know that they made a good decision before I tell them that I quit my job.
Nothing could lift my mood like seeing the familiar faces of my parents and brothers. Mase walks in first, all decked out in his college gear. I hug him.
Wade: What’s up, college boy?
Then I move on to Dray, my Dad, and Ma.
I give everyone a quick tour of the place; they seem genuinely impressed.
Melisa: It’s so clean, and it looks terrific.
Wade: Thanks Ma. I’m happy with it.
Kai: Our money was well spent.
Leave it up to Dad to remind us all who owns the place.
Melisa: How has it been – living alone?
Wade: I won’t lie – the first few days were tough.
Kai: Yeah, we saw your video on SimTube.
SimTube? Are they following me? Do they already know that I quit my job? Time to change the subject…
Wade: I think I’ve finally adjusted, but there’s one thing the place has been missing.
Melisa: What’s that?
Kai: Will it cost us?
Wade: No, it won’t cost anything but a bit of your time.
Ma and Dad both seem relieved to hear that.
There’s no denying the shocked look on their faces when I tell them I’ve been missing a family picture to put up on my wall. I set up my camera in the courtyard and we all pose for a long overdue photo session.
Melisa: *after taking the photo* Please send me a copy, Dubbie.
Wade: Will do, Ma.
Once we’ve gotten that out of the way – it’s time for the inevitable. I need to tell Dad that I quit working for Sim.TV, and I know just how to soften the blow.
Wade: Dad, can I show you something outside?
Kai: Sure
We walk out to my fenced yard.
Wade: I planted that money tree seed that you gave me.
Kai: I see! I’m glad you took that request seriously.
Wade: Yeah, and I have some good news about my SimTube videos. I just received a nomination for an award for my latest video.
Kai: Already? So that’s been going well, then.
Wade: Very! My videos have been generating a lot of ad revenue so far. And since I quit my job, I’ve had a lot more time to make more content.
After blurting out that news, I approach my grill as a distraction to help calm my nerves.
Kai: Wait, run that back real quick. Did you say you quit your job?
Wade: Yes, I quit yesterday morning.
I light the grill and add hot dogs for lunch – doing anything I can to help get me through this conversation with Dad because I’m terrified of what he will say.
Kai: Wasn’t succeeding at your job one of the conditions I gave you to keep this house?
Wade: It was, but I don’t remember you specifying which job. SimTube is my job now, and I am succeeding. I make almost triple what I made working for Sim.TV. And I own everything I do. I would never be eligible for an award working for someone else. Plus, I just finished up my first two remote classes at Foxbury. I think I did well in them. I’ve still met your conditions.
Kai: *impressed* Okay, I can’t argue with any of that.
Wade: And I’ll pay you and Ma back if you want. I can start paying rent.
Kai: I appreciate the offer but don’t want your money. Instead of paying us, I’d rather you save a percentage of your income every month and invest it. That’s my new condition. You need multiple sources of income, especially if you are working for yourself. With a suitable investment – you’ll make money while you sleep. Deal?
Wade: Yeah, I can do that. It’s a deal!
I take the cooked hotdogs off the grill and carry them inside.
I place the hotdogs on the table and call everyone over. Judging by how they all attack their food, I can guess they are hungry. While eating, I fill Ma in on everything I just told Dad. She seems just as receptive as he was – and like him, told me to save rather than try to pay them back.
After lunch, I give Ma a gift for their wedding anniversary tomorrow, shocking her for the second time today.
Melisa: How thoughtful, Dubbie! I didn’t even think you remembered.
Wade: How could I forget? You and Dad’s relationship is a goal.
Melisa: *suspicious* Oh really? I never thought I’d hear you say that. Who’s the girl?
Wade: *denial* What? There’s no girl.
I know Ma doesn’t believe me because the truth is written all over my face.
Melisa: Who is she, Dub?
Wade: Just someone I met a few days ago. We haven’t even been out on a date yet, but I like being around her. Cousins Bri and Terra wanted to hang out tonight, and I’m considering inviting her.
I pull out my phone to double check the text from Bri.
Melisa: What’s stopping you?
Wade: I don’t know. I did something I regret when I last saw her, and I’m unsure how she might feel about it.
Dad jumps into the conversation.
Kai: You won’t know unless you call her. To get what you want, you have to take chances. If I didn’t take some chances when I first met your Ma, none of you would be here.
They are right and I know it, but I’m still nervous about inviting Maia.
I grab all the dirty dishes and carry them into the house to give myself a moment to think about it. Ma is right; what’s stopping me? If I invite Maia to hang out – what’s the worst that could happen? I pull out my phone and text an invite. She responds quickly to accept. Maybe the kiss wasn’t such a wrong move after all. Either way, I’m excited to hang out with her again tonight.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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