Once Tami is in Ma’s arms, she’s there for good. Ma isn’t about to give her up to anyone. I chuckle at that while I receive a call from my brother, Mase.
Wade: *on the phone* What’s up? Where are you?
Mason: *on the phone* Sorry I’m late. I had a presentation to turn in for school. I’m pulling up now.
Mase knocks on the door moments later, and I call for him to come in. He enters the house looking older than I remember. I stare momentarily, realizing that my younger brother is a man now. I greet him with a big hug.
While Mase and I catch up, I glimpse Dad and Dray sitting at the table with Clyde. Clyde isn’t smirking, so I’m guessing that the conversation is going well.
Clyde: *to Kai* I hear your family is from Henford.
Kai: My father’s family is. I was born in Sulani, but we didn’t stay there long. It was just my Ma and me living in Britchester while she was attending college.
Clyde: You were raised by a single mother?
Kai: Yeah. I didn’t even meet my father until I was almost a young adult. The only thing he ever did for me was leave me his family home after he died.
Clyde: Absentee fathers is like an epidemic where I’m from. I was raised by a single mom as well. Only my father didn’t leave us a damn thing. I was determined to break that cycle when Maia was born.
Kai: Same with me and my boys.
While Clyde and Kai continue to exchange stories on what it was like growing up without a father, Me–Me talks to Maia.
Melisa: How are you feeling? You must be tired. I can watch Tambara for you if you need some rest.
Maia: I feel surprisingly energized. But thanks for the offer.
Melisa: Speaking of rest, I think this one, *nods to Tami*, might be ready for a nap.
Maia can immediately see that Me-Me is right. Poor Tami can barely keep her little eyes open.
Maia changes Tami into her pajamas and head wrap. There’s a portable crib in the living room, so that’s where Maia lays her down. Tami falls asleep with just a few quick rubs of the chest and tummy.
Clyde and Kai’s conversation continues…
Clyde: Honestly, I wasn’t too thrilled about meeting you all. But you seem like a cool cat and have a beautiful family.
Kai: And you have a lovely daughter. We are happy to have her as a part of our family. But what made you hesitant to meet us?
Clyde: Your son, Wade, can sometimes be a bit snobby for my tastes, and I was worried that you’d be the same way. But you and your wife are as down to earth as it comes.
Kai: *chuckles* I admit that Dub always had an eye for the finer things in life. But he’s a good son, and I can tell that he loves your daughter very much.
Clyde: Even I can’t deny that.
Ma and Dad announce that they’d better start heading back to Henford. Mase stays about an hour longer, since he arrived late. Clyde strikes up a conversation with him, and just from the tone of his voice – I can tell he likes Mase a lot better than me. But that probably has something to do with the fact that I’m involved with his daughter. It’s his job as a father to be more wary of me. Right?
Anyway, I suddenly realize that I haven’t told my dude Luca about Tami being born. If it weren’t for Luca, I probably wouldn’t be in the positive headspace I’m in now as a new father. I pull out my phone and send him a message with Tambara’s baby announcement on Social Bunny. He responds quickly, and I reply, letting him know that we plan to join him on the West Coast very soon. I know he’ll be happy to hear that.
Maia gets the 411 on how things are going between Mase and Zoe right before it’s time for him to leave. Clyde makes the mistake of turning on the TV a bit too loud, inadvertently waking Tami up again. Maia hurries over and picks her up. Tami will sleep much better upstairs in our room, so that’s where Maia takes her. This further highlights the need for Tami to have her own bedroom. We need to find a new home ASAP.
Clyde approaches me after Maia disappears with Tami upstairs. I brace myself for a new threat, but Clyde’s expression is soft and, dare I say – amiable. He holds out his phone.
Clyde: I know you said you don’t want nothing to do with my guy Charlie, but he sent me something that I think you should see.
The excitement on Clyde’s face pulls me in, so I agree to take a look.
Wade: Yeah, okay. What’s up?
Clyde shows me the phone with Charlie’s message and a picture of a house attached.
Clyde: Take a look at this place. It’s located in Anchorpoint Wharf and would be a great place to raise Tambara. It has three bedrooms, a sunroom, two bathrooms, and a nice-sized backyard.
I’m impressed with the picture.
Wade: That’s a nice place.
Clyde: But that’s not all.
Clyde scrolls to another picture.
Clyde: There’s a second place attached that you can rent out.
That sounds even better. It can be a great way to generate more income.
Wade: And it’s available?
Clyde: Yes, Charlie’s been keeping an eye on it for a while. That’s what squatters do – they know every empty spot in the city. Now, you just have to contact a realtor. Charlie just saved you a lot of time and energy that you won’t have to use searching for a place.
Wade: I see what you mean. I’m sorry for doubting you and Ole Charlie.
Clyde: It’s all good. And if you don’t like that one, I’m sure there are others that he knows about.
Wade: No, I think this might be the one. Can you send it to me? If we can expedite the purchase, Maia and I could beat you back to San Sequoia.
Clyde: I’d love that.
I never thought I’d hear those words coming from Clyde.
Clyde forwards Charlie’s text and pictures to me, and I go straight to my computer to begin my search. I’m able to locate the property and the listing agent immediately. Charlie did save me some time. I send the agent a detailed email and make an offer for the home. I then search for a designer to furnish the house and make it move-in ready. Of course, I’ll have to run it all by Maia before making any final decisions, but I at least want to get a head start on the process.
I take the stairs two at a time to show Maia the place. Her eyes light up immediately.
Maia: Oh, my Watcher! I know that house. I used to pass it all the time on the way to the outside market. It’s gorgeous.
Wade: It’s not just one house. We can rent out the house that’s attached. I already contacted the listing agent and emailed an interior designer. If you want the place, we may be able to get it ready by Monday.
Maia: Monday? That’s so fast.
Wade: It is, but Tami needs a bedroom. She’ll be crawling and walking before we know it.
Maia: You’re right and we put this off long enough. *pauses to think* Let’s do it!
Wade: Yeah?
Maia: Yeah!
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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