It’s Tami’s first day of school. I enter her bedroom, expecting her to be dressed and ready, but she’s still in her pajamas.
Wade: What’s going on here? Didn’t mommy set out the clothes you’re supposed to wear?
Tambara: Yes, but I don’t want to wear them. The sweater is itchy, and I don’t like the pants.
Wade: You can’t go to school in your pajamas. Let me help you pick something out.
Tami and I look through her clothes and pick out a pink striped sweater and skirt. Once she’s dressed…
Wade: So what do you think?
Tambara: I like it!
Wade: Good, because there’s no time to pick anything else.
Maia has just finished cooking French toast when Tami and I enter the kitchen. We join her at the table.
Maia: What happened to the outfit that I picked out for you?
Tambara: Daddy said I could wear this instead.
Wade: That’s not what happened. You said you didn’t want to wear what mommy picked out.
Maia: That’s okay. I think I like that outfit even better.
Tambara: Am I going to the same school you went to when you were little, mommy?
Maia: Yeah, you are.
Tambara: Did you like it there?
Maia: Well, I…
Maia’s demeanor changes, and I can sense yet another tragic story behind it. Luckily, she spares us the details.
Maia: I liked it, but I’m sure you’ll love it.
I grab the dirty dishes and take them to the sink, trying to imagine the tale behind Maia’s changed expression. Is it another poverty story? Did the kids at school tease her about her clothes or something like that? Either way, I’m glad she kept it to herself because I want Tami’s experience at school to differ from anything Maia may have experienced.
Wade: It’s time to go, or you’ll be late.
After we’ve filled up on Maia’s delicious meal, we gather outside to take some ‘first day of school’ pics of Tami. She’s happy to pose and show off her new outfit, but I only have time to take a couple of pics.
It’s time to go, so I put Hiro on his leash, and Maia and I start down the block toward Tami’s school, but Tami stops before we can even cross the street.
Maia: You’ll never make it to school if you keep stopping.
Tambara: I know. I have to say goodbye to Luna first.
Maia: Make it quick!
Tami hurries over to Luna.
Tambara: You be good, and I’ll be good too. Okay?
Tami catches up to Maia and me and eventually makes it to the school. After we drop her off, Maia heads back home while Hiro and I continue our walk for a few more blocks.
While Dub is walking Hiro, Maia retreats to her yoga room for some mind-centering yoga. She wants more than anything for Tami to have an incredible first day of school, but is having difficulty keeping her mind away from everything that can go wrong. What if Tami doesn’t make any friends, or she doesn’t learn as quickly as the other kids? What if Tami comes face to face with a bully? Maia almost smiles at that last thought, realizing that Tami would probably handle that scenario just fine as long as no kicking or biting is involved. But worry creeps back on her as she imagines Tami bullying the other kids.
After several minutes of yoga, the bothersome thoughts slowly melt away as Maia directs her attention to her poses. But when she goes outside to empty some trash, she gets a call that proves that her worrying wasn’t for nothing. Tami’s teacher calls to inform her of an incident during Tami’s science lab.
Tami’s teacher: *on the phone* How would you like us to handle this, Mrs. Banks? We can let it slide, or Tami can miss a few minutes of recess as a minor punishment.
Maia takes a deep breath and gives the situation some thought. Letting Tami’s actions slide could be a big mistake, possibly leading to other incidents. Tami’s responds best to consequences.
Maia: I think missing some of her recess is fair.
I barely notice Maia walking by while I’m on my laptop, trying to create new goals for my bucket list. However, I realize that the path to fulfilling any of my goals depends on my ability to continue posting engaging content on my SimTube channel. I scratch what I’ve written and enter my office to work on a new video instead.
Wade: *on camera* Hey, SimTube! It’s your boy, Dub! This video is about bucket lists, and I have a question for you. Do you have a bucket list, and if so, what’s on it? *continues discussion*
After changing out of her yoga outfit and taking a hot shower, Maia works on catching up with the laundry, knowing that it’ll probably never get done if she doesn’t. Maia quietly hums a tune as she adds a load to the washing machine and checks the clothes in the dryer. As she’s folding and putting things away, she turns and notices Luna lying on the ground.
Maia: *instantly worried* Luna! Are you okay? You don’t look so –
Maia pauses after realizing there’s no more life in her sweet Luna. Her companion for most of her adult life has passed away.
The silence of death fills the room, interrupted only by Maia’s quiet sobs. But Maia’s tears aren’t just for her cat but also for Tami, who will now have to learn to live with loss for the first time.
Wade: *continues speaking into the camera* …and what happens after you’ve completed your bucket list? Do you set new goals or-
Maia enters my office in the middle of my question.
Maia: Dub, we have a problem.
I can hear and feel Maia’s words at the same time. My stomach sinks, dreading what must be so important that she needed to interrupt my work. I press pause on my camera as she sits down at my desk.
Wade: What’s going on? Did something happen to Tami at school?
Maia: No, Tami is fine. But Luna has passed away.
I’m ashamed to admit I’m briefly relieved because I never liked the cat. Luna has always been a pain, dumping trash everywhere, scratching the furniture, and jumping on our counters. But I quickly realize that this isn’t about me.
Wade: Oh no, Tami…she loves that cat.
Maia: Right. How do we tell her?
Wade: Can’t we get her another cat?
Maia: That won’t solve anything. She’ll need time to grieve Luna.
Wade: Yeah, you’re probably right.
I can see the emotion building up on Maia’s face as she struggles to hold back tears. Tami isn’t the only one who loves that cat. It’s an enormous loss for Maia as well.
I gently guide Maia into my arms.
Wade: I’m so sorry, babe. I know losing Luna is hard for you, too.
I’d be feeling the same way if it were Hiro. And I recall how sad I felt back when Ma and Dad told me that our family dog, Belle, had died. My stomach lurches with grief as Maia sheds a few tears on my shoulder. After I few minutes, she pulls back.
Wade: Are you going to be okay?
Maia: *emotional* I need a few minutes to pull myself together. Tami will be home from school, and I don’t want to cry when she gets here.
Wade: Is there anything I can do to help?
Maia: No. I’ll meditate, and I think I’ll be okay.
I watch as Maia slowly leaves the room. Suddenly, my bucket list video doesn’t seem so important. I turn the camera back on and start a more pressing discussion.
Wade: *on camera* Hey, SimTube. It’s your boy, feeling a little sad and wondering–how do you talk to kids about death?
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
Thanks for reading! Please hit the “like” button if you’ve enjoyed what you read! Keep scrolling if you’d like to leave a comment. 🥰
Be First to Comment