Familiar meowing coming from downstairs awakens Tambara. She jumps out of bed and hurries down, excited because it can only be her beloved cat, Luna.
Sure enough, Luna is standing there—dirty and smelly, as if she’s been through hell and back.
Tambara: *scolding tone* You silly, silly cat! Don’t leave again without telling me!
Tami’s love for the cat overrides her anger. She picks her up and hugs her.
Tambara: But I love you anyway, and I’m not mad.
Tami hurries back up the stairs with Luna in her arms.
Tambara: Mommy, mommy! Luna’s back. She came back.
Maia climbs out of bed, happy that the cat has returned.
Maia: Sweet Luna, glad to see you back. *sniffs* But, ugh- it smells like you’ve been playing in the trash again.
Maia is in the kitchen making breakfast when I finally join her and Tami. It’s omelets this morning, which I’m happy to see. Nobody makes omelets that taste as good as Maia’s—not even Ma, but I’d never admit that to either of them.
We sit down at the table to enjoy our delicious meal.
Maia: Father moves in today.
Oh crap! Already? I’m not sure I’m ready for a never-ending dose of Clyde.
Wade: Do you need me to help carry anything?
Maia: No, he doesn’t have much. And he won’t even let me help. He insists on bringing it all over himself. Tami and I will go over there later to help him settle in.
Good. That’ll give me an excuse to disappear for a while. I’ve been thinking about what Maia said about Tami last night, and I’d love some time to give that more thought. Maybe I’ll even visit Luca to see what he says about it.
Wade: When will he get here?
Maia: Not sure. He said he’d text me when he’s moved in.
Maia leaves the table to clean her plate while I revel in the relief of remaining Clyde-free today.
It’s drizzling outside, but that doesn’t stop Maia from going into the backyard to care for her plants while waiting for her father’s text. Tami follows her out, enjoying the freedom of running around in the rain. It’s like taking a shower outside. When she’s finally tired and slightly out of breath, Tami kneels in the wet grass and plays with one of her dolls while watching the birds flit and flutter around the bird feeder. Seeing them inspires her to include them in her pretend play.
Tambara: *talking to her doll* Beware the flying monsters that’ll bite your head off with their powerful beaks. *doll’s high-pitched voice* Oh no! We need to get away before they get us.
Maia finally receives the text that she’s been waiting for. Her father has finished moving in. She gathers Tami from the backyard, and they go next door to see him.
Tambara: Let me knock, mommy!
Maia: Okay, but don’t pound too hard. We don’t want Father thinking it’s the cops.
Tami knocks, and they wait for Clyde to invite them in, which he does immediately.
Maia: Father, you still aren’t locking your door!
Clyde: I knew you were coming, so I didn’t bother. Isn’t this the bougie part of town?
Maia: Criminals are everywhere.
Clyde: Yeah, and my cane is always ready to go upside their heads.
Maia knows there’s no sense in arguing. Making sure her father is locking his door is another task she’ll take on.
Clyde reaches down and hugs Tami.
Clyde: There’s my darling! You’ve gotten so big… let me look at you!
Tambara: You missed my birthday.
Clyde: Did I? Well, happy birthday. Are you going to bite me again?
Tami doesn’t remember biting her grandfather, so she laughs as if it’s a joke.
Tambara: *giggles* No!
Clyde: Good, because those teeth are like shark teeth!
Tami giggles some more. Clyde steps away and walks over to Maia.
Maia: So, how do you like the place so far?
Clyde: This place is too damn fancy for me. And there are way too many stairs. Do you want me to fall and break my neck?
Maia: No, father. Almost everything you need is up here. You don’t have to go downstairs unless you want to.
Maia: *continues* There’s nothing wrong with fancy living now that you’re older. Think of it like the retirees who move to Sulani. You’ve worked hard all your life; you deserve to be fancy.
Clyde: *smiles* I do, don’t I?
Maia: Definitely
Tami interrupts the conversation.
Tambara: Grandpa, what’s this?
Clyde walks over to see what Tami is talking about.
Clyde: Oh, that’s my old record player. You used to dance to the music I played on it when you were a baby.
Tami reaches out.
Tambara: How do I turn it on?
Clyde: You don’t because only Grandpa can touch it. This record player is older than your mother. It was the first thing that me and your grandma bought together.
Tambara: Where’s my grandma now?
Clyde: She’s no longer with us.
Tambara: Is she on a trip?
Clyde: No, darling – your grandma died a long time ago. But I can see she lives on in you because you’re just like her.
Tambara: Oh
Tami doesn’t quite understand, but she’s satisfied with what her grandfather has told her.
Maia: Is everything working okay? Our last tenants had issues with the dishwasher.
Clyde: You know I won’t be touching that dishwasher. I only trust my own hands with soap and water.
Maia moves over to the kitchen to check it out, anyway.
While Maia is busy in the kitchen, Clyde sits down with Tami.
Clyde: Let me tell you about your grandmother.
Maia suddenly remembers that it’s Ancestor Day—the perfect time for Clyde to reminisce while teaching Tami more about Maia’s mother.
Tambara: What was her name?
Clyde: Her name was Elise.
Tambara: Hey, that’s my middle name!
Clyde: It sure is. Your mother gave you her name.
Tambara: If I have her name now, what does she use?
Clyde: That’s not quite how it works, little darling, but maybe they don’t rely on names in heaven.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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