Something breaks inside me as I watch Tami standing by Ma’s photo on the memorial table, and my regrets pile up. I insisted on moving far from home, trying to run toward manhood, but all I did was take Tami away from her grandparents. She didn’t get to know Ma as much as she should have, and now she never will. The remorse caused by my decisions builds into a different type of grief—because that choice was all about me and what I wanted, just like every other one I’ve made.
I need to find a place to be alone, so I take a few steps, hoping to find an isolated part of the cemetery. Before I can disappear, I hear Maia calling out to me. I look up and see her walking toward me, her hand outstretched. The sight of her makes me feel even worse—it’s another reminder of my selfishness and how it has damaged our relationship.
Before Maia can reach me, Dray’s girlfriend steps up, causing her to stop in her tracks. I’m not really in the mood to talk to Mariana, but I welcome the distraction.
Mariana: *heavy accent* I am so sorry to meet you on such a sad occasion.
Wade: Yeah, me too. It would have been nice to meet you back in Ciudad Enamorada.
Mariana: But maybe you can visit us there soon.
Wade: Us?
Mariana: Drake didn’t tell you? He decided to relocate. I’m sure he was planning to tell you soon.
I realize I haven’t spoken to Dray yet. We have a lot of catching up to do.
Tami makes her way into the family mausoleum and finds her Uncle Dray there. She remembers visiting this place when her grandfather Clyde died. Back then, Pop-Pop Kai told her stories about her great-grandparents—it had felt like learning ancient history in a museum. She hadn’t fully grasped what this place truly was.
Now, sadness engulfs her as she realizes these aren’t just people; they are her people. This mausoleum holds family members she never met—and her gran Me-Me, whom she’ll never see again.
The first person Dray sees when he steps out of the mausoleum is his dad. Kai approaches him.
Kai: I see you’ve taken the pink accessories thing to another level.
Dray recoils slightly—his dad has been critical of his hair choices before.
Drake: I just—
Kai: No explanations needed. I like it, and your ma would too.
Dray responds by giving Kai a big hug. He needed to hear that today. After the hug, he takes a step back.
Kai: I met Mariana. I wish it were under different circumstances, but she’s nice. I can see why you like her.
Drake: Thanks, Dad.
Kai: So, are the two of you getting serious?
Drake: Yeah, I’m thinking about relocating to CE.
Kai: You should! Life is short. If being there with her will make you happy, then do it.
Tami is sitting down when I walk over to join her.
Wade: I have something I need to tell you.
Tambara: Are you finally coming home?
Wade: I am—but just for a little while. I’m going to look for a place, and then I’ll be moving out.
Tambara: Then you’re not really coming home!
Wade: I won’t be in the same house, but I’ll be looking for a place in San Sequoia, so you’ll see me all the time.
Tambara: Do you promise?
Wade: I do—because I never want to be this far away from you again.
Tambara: So, it’s over—between you and Mom?
Wade: If your mom is willing, I want to keep working on our relationship, but I also want to give her space. She deserves that. But how do you feel about it?
Tambara: I guess that’s okay. I’ll be grown soon anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter what you two do.
I know she doesn’t mean it. It sounds like a subtle way of lashing out.
Wade: I mean—you don’t have to say it like that, but you have a point.
Tami pauses for a moment before adding,
Tambara: I’m glad you’re coming back, though.
Wade: Thanks!
Maia is surprised to find Mariana inside the family mausoleum as she enters to pay her final respects to Me-Me. As far as she knows, Mariana never met Me-Me, yet her tears flow as if she had known her for years.
Mariana speaks up, almost as if she can read Maia’s thoughts.
Mariana: Sorry, I will leave.
Maia: No, it’s okay. Please stay.
Mariana blots her eyes.
Mariana: It’s sad that I never got to know her. From what Drake says, she was a wonderful person.
Maia: She was one of the best people I’ve ever known.
Outside, Dray and Mase catch up. Dray shares his plans to move, while Mase tells him all about his daughter, Serena.
Tami sits with me for a while before eventually getting up to explore other parts of the cemetery. Left alone with my thoughts, I reflect on the last few moments I spent with Ma. She was trying to tell me something, and I didn’t understand—until I saw Maia this morning.
Now, I realize that letting Maia go is the best thing I can do for her. It doesn’t have to mean completely giving up on us; it just means she needs space to grow into who she wants to be. In time, I’ll see where I fit into that—if I fit at all. Either way, I have to learn to live with that.
I can almost see Ma smiling at me, nodding her approval… her eyes softly glowing. I’m going to miss that smile and the joy in those eyes.
Kai sees Tami standing near her other grandfather’s grave and walks over.
Kai: Hey, sweetheart. How are you holding up over here?
Tami pauses, thinking for a moment.
Tambara: I’m okay, I guess.
She studies her Pop-Pop.
Tambara: How about you?
Kai: I can’t even lie—your old Pop-Pop isn’t doing so well. And it’ll probably be some time before I am.
Tami can see the evidence all over his face.
Tambara: I liked what you said about Gran.
Kai: I meant every word.
Tambara: Can I ask you a question?
Kai: Of course!
Tambara: What’s the use of getting married if you end up breaking up like my parents or losing each other, like with Gran?
Kai: That’s a tough question. I believe your gran would say-where there’s life and love, there are endings. But marriage isn’t about endings—it’s about everything in between. I built a lifetime of memories with your gran, and I’m sure your parents will always cherish the memories they made together as well. Just because something ends doesn’t make it meaningless. Losing your gran is painful, but if I spent my life avoiding pain, could I really say I lived? Could your parents?
Kai pauses and takes a deep breath.
Kai: *continues* I don’t know if that answers your question, but I hope you get the chance to experience those ‘in-between’ moments in your life, too. I’m sure you’ll find that they’re worth it.
Maia stands near Clyde’s grave, sobbing. I knew she’d make her way over there eventually. It’s my turn to comfort her, so I pull her into my arms.
Wade: It’s a lot, babe. I feel it too, but we’ll get through it. I promise.
Maia squeezes me back, sighing into my neck.
Maia: Thank you.
Maia takes a step back, wiping away a few lingering tears.
Maia: I think I’m okay now. It just took me by surprise, seeing his grave again for the first time since—you know?
Wade: I get it. I lost it when I saw Ma’s picture earlier. I just wonder if it ever really gets easier.
Maia: I think it does, but sometimes in the quiet moments, it all comes flooding back.
Wade: Yeah, I can imagine.
That’s how it’s felt—not being around her these past few days.
We pause, standing there for a few moments before we both attempt to speak at the same time.
Wade: Maia, I— Maia: Wade, we—
We stop, both waiting for the other to continue, which results in a brief silence.
Maia: You go first.
Wade: I was going to say that I respect your wishes. I’ll be returning to San Sequoia with you and Tami tonight, but I’ll start looking for another place to live. I want to give you some space.
Maia looks surprised.
Maia: Uh, okay.
Wade: But I still want to work on us—if that’s okay with you. I was thinking… maybe we could try counseling. But if that’s not what you want, we can—
Maia: *interrupts* Yeah, I’m willing to try counseling.
Wade: Yeah?
Maia: It can’t hurt, right?
She’s right. And I’m relieved she’s willing to give it a chance.
We make a mutual decision—it’s time to head home.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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