Banks Dynasty – Day 54.4 (Part 3)

Wade: Why does it sound like you want me to give up?

Kai: That’s not what I’m saying. Nobody wants to see a family broken up. I’m saying that if you want your wife and family back, you’ll have to give up selfishness. It can’t be about you anymore.

Wade: I can do that.

Kai: Good. And as far as Tami is concerned, remember you’re her father, not her friend. Don’t be afraid to say no to her. She won’t always like it, but she’ll get over it. You did. Tough love is sometimes the best love.

I consider Dad’s words and realize he’s right. I have been selfish and way too lax with Tami.

Wade: How do I prove to Maia I’m willing to change?

Kai: By changing. Period. But it might not happen overnight. You may have to spend some time apart for a while.

That’s not what I want to hear. I want my wife back today. Mase clears his throat before entering the conversation.

Mason: Maybe you can plan a date with Maia when you get home. When was the last time you two went out?

Kai: That’s not a bad idea. But you need to take your own advice, Mase. Like you said, a new baby changes things. You can’t lose the romance while taking care of your daughter. Ma and I can always babysit.

Mason: Thanks, Dad.

Wade: Is that what happened between you and Ma? She told me you two had some issues.

Mase looks as surprised as I was when I heard it from Ma.

Mason: Issues?

Kai: Yeah, we had our moments. And it came from me taking your ma for granted and not showing her she’s my priority. I had to step back from thinking about myself and reevaluate how she was feeling, being a new mother and all. Sometimes, as men, we can be a little shortsighted. Just because we feel like everything is hunky-dory in the relationship doesn’t mean it is. We always have to consider our partners.

Wade: How, though? We can’t read minds.

Kai: True! But you can ask questions. Asking, ‘How are you feeling today?’ can go a long way.

Mase and I sit quietly, mulling over Dad’s advice.

Back at home, Me-Me stares at her family portraits on the wall. She’s the last of the Brown family clan, and she’s been missing her parents and siblings more and more lately. She could go days without the losses weighing on her, but on other days, the grief falls heavily. But today is different. She can feel the anticipation rising in her gut as if she knows she’ll see them again soon. She looks closer at the pictures. The first one is from when they were young, innocent children with nothing but excitement about things to come reflecting in their eyes. The second is her and her siblings as young adults—older, wiser, and maybe even a little afraid as they explore the world of possibility for their future. And now she sits here without them. She’s lived a good life and fulfilled things she could never have imagined back then. She hopes they did, too.

Me-Me pulls her eyes away, suddenly feeling extremely tired. It’s been a long day, as every other day has felt lately. It reminds her of what it was like as a child when hours passed slowly. She wishes she had the energy she had back then. She and her siblings could run around all day until they were so tired that they could barely stand and keep their eyes open. Then, when their mom told them it was nap time, they’d resist the urge to sleep. She can almost hear her brother Jay’s whining voice saying, ‘But I’m not tired. ’

That time is over. She needs a nap and couldn’t fight it if she tried. She runs into Zoe on the way up to her bedroom.

Melisa: I’m going upstairs to rest. Can you let Dad know when he gets back?

Zoe: Yeah, of course. Rest well!

After climbing the stairs and entering the bedroom, Me-Me can tell that just a nap won’t do. It’s a little early, but she knows she’s in for the rest of the night. It’s not the first time a nap lasted the entire night. Those moments came often when the boys were babies. Me-Me recalls times when she and Kai would collapse in the middle of the day, silently praying that Dub, Mase, or Dray would give them the mercy of a few silent hours of rest. Me-Me looks around the room and turns her ear towards the door, as if listening for a baby’s cries, before changing into her pajamas and climbing up under the covers. For a moment, she can hear Kai’s soft breathing next to her. She closes her eyes and swears she feels his breath on her cheek. She reaches out and pats his empty pillow.

Melisa: Good night, Kaby.

A slight smile creases her cheek as she says the nickname she gave him when they first started dating in college—a blend of Kai and baby. It never stuck, but she thought it was cute back then. Me-Me tries to remember exactly when she came up with the name. Was it when they were in her dorm room that time or on the bluffs? The memories blend until they fade into a peaceful, deep sleep.

We arrive home just as it’s beginning to get dark. Serena’s cries assault our ears as we walk through the door. Zoe stands in the front room, holding the baby tight, looking exhausted. It seems as if she’s the one who could have used some self-care today. I look around, expecting to see Ma close by helping, but she isn’t there. Dad must have made the same observation.

Kai: Where’s Ma?

Zoe: She’s upstairs taking a nap. She wanted me to let you know.

Mase walks over and frees Zoe from the screaming baby, while I retreat to the guest room to make that call to Maia that I put off all day.

A part of me expected my call to go unanswered, but I’m relieved when I hear Maia’s voice after the third ring.

Maia: *on the phone* Hello?

I suddenly don’t know what to say.

Wade: Hey, it’s me.

Maia: Are you still in Henford?

Wade: Yeah. Did I catch you at a bad time?

Maia: No, I was finishing up a yoga session.

I’d give anything to see what she’s wearing right now.

Wade: I did too. Dad took us to a salon and forced us into a yoga class. I’m glad I did it, though.

Maia: That’s not what I expected to hear.

Wade: *chuckles* Right?

For a moment, I forget the situation until Maia reminds me. Her tone sharpens suddenly, as if she’s remembering as well.

Maia: Is there something you need?

Wade: No, I just wanted to hear your voice. And I—uh, was wondering if I could take you out when I get back. So we can, you know, talk—just the two of us.

There’s a brief pause.

Maia: *hesitant* Maybe.

Maybe? I’ll take it.

Wade: Okay. See you when I get back?

Maia: Okay, bye.

Maia hangs up, and I sit there with the phone to my ear for an embarrassingly long time.

Upstairs, Mase and Zoe are struggling to calm baby Serena.

Zoe: Why does she cry so much? Are we doing something wrong?

Mason: I don’t think it’s anything we’re doing. It’s just what babies do. Maybe she’s hungry. When was her last bottle?

Zoe: Less than an hour ago. She couldn’t possibly be hungry again, could she?

Mason: I don’t know. Maybe.

Mase gives Serena a bottle, and sure enough, the cries stop. Zoe sits back in the rocking chair, relieved about finally having a quiet moment.

Thirty minutes later, I find Dad in the garage lifting weights. I don’t have a heavy bag at home, so I join him by practicing a few combos.

Dad suddenly gets up from the weight machine, looking worn out.

Wade: You alright, Dad?

Kai: Yeah, but I think I may have overdone it. It’s time for bed, anyway.

Dad shuffles from the room with his back hunched over, appearing older than he is. I’m worried because I’ve never seen him like this. How long has this been happening?

Kai enters the bedroom, surprised to see Me-Me still sleeping soundly. Then he realizes that old age has a way of sapping energy like no other time. He watches her for a minute or two, wondering if she’s dreaming. The house is surprisingly quiet. Even baby Serena has finally calmed down. Kai is grateful because sometimes their granddaughter is up crying well into the night. He climbs into bed, ready to welcome sleep, but a moment of unease captures him just before he drifts off.

In the middle of the night, Me-Me stirs and scrambles in her sleep. The light drifts from her body, giving her time for two last words.  

Melisa: *faint whisper* Ma? Dad?

And just like that, it’s gone. Kai stirs awake like he’s done plenty of times over the years when he feels Me-Me leave the bed. But this time is different. Kai wakes up confused because her body is still there.

He sits at the side of the bed, looking around to determine what has awakened him. With so many people living in the house, it could be anything. It’s not unusual for baby Serena to whimper in her sleep. Or Zoe to stumble to the bathroom, sleepily bumping into a wall or two on the way. But instinct tells him it isn’t them. He turns to see Me-Me’s lifeless body and feels himself deflate as the wind escapes him.  

Kai: *breathlessly* Oh Me-Me—baby, not now…

(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)

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