Maia is in the kitchen preparing spinach frittatas for breakfast, wondering if she should add them to the menu at the stand today, when Tami walks in with a big smile and a little extra bounce in her step.
Tambara: Guess what, Mom!
Tami doesn’t wait for Maia to guess before blurting out her news.
Tambara: I have a date for the prom!
Maia looks over with a smile of her own. It’s nice to see her daughter so happy after everything that’s happened in the past few days.
Maia: A date? Really? When did that happen?
Just when it seems impossible for Tami’s smile to get any bigger, her grin stretches from ear to ear.
Tambara: Yesterday, at the water park! I kind of hinted that we should go together, and he said yes.
Maia: That’s amazing, Tami. I’m happy for you. He? What’s his name?
Tambara: His name is Enzo! Can we go shopping for dresses after school today?
Maia’s smile fades for a moment. Not because she isn’t thrilled to share this special occasion with her daughter, but because it’s something she never got to do with her own mother. She catches herself before letting the thought spiral. Dub always said she had a way of turning everything into a tragedy. He wasn’t wrong about that. She refuses to let that pattern ruin this moment.
Maia replaces her regrets with a big smile, trying to match Tami’s.
Maia: Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll close the food stand early and meet you in the fashion district.
Tami’s phone buzzes with a text.
Maia: Is that him?
Tambara: No, it’s his sister Kisha. I gotta go, Mom, or I’ll be late for school.
Maia: Want me to pack some food for you?
Tambara: No time. I’ll grab something from the vending machine.
Maia: That’s not the healthiest choice.
Tami practically holds her breath, expecting her mom to question her decision. But she’s pleasantly surprised when Maia continues.
Maia: But, I understand. Enjoy your day!
Tambara: Thanks, Mom.
Tami grabs her backpack and hurries toward the stairs. Maia watches her go as she eats breakfast. Tami’s enthusiasm is contagious, and suddenly Maia feels just as excited about the prom as her daughter does.
She’s also relieved that Tami isn’t mad at her anymore. Maia figures Dub must have said something during their visit because Tami’s mood flipped almost overnight. She appreciates the change, though part of her wonders what he said and why it’s been so effective. Did he bribe her? She’ll thank him next time she sees him and maybe ask a few questions too.
I wake up missing my dog Hiro. On a day like today, I’d normally leash him up and take him out for a long jog. But my jogs will be solo for now. I could get another dog, but there’s no replacing Hiro. Instead of heading outside, I go down to the Man Cave and take my grief out on the treadmill.
After a solid two- or three-mile run, I try out the small shower in the Cave’s bathroom. I’m not sure if any of my clients have used it yet, but it’s actually a pretty decent spot to wash up after a workout.
I get dressed for the day and head back up to the apartment to knock out some work before opening the Man Cave.
I step into my office to edit my latest video about bouncing back after divorce. As I sit down to work, my wedding ring catches my eye. When Maia and I exchanged rings, we meant it to be forever. But clearly, that didn’t work out.
During our vows, Maia told me I was the best thing that ever happened to her, and I promised I’d work to become a better person every day. Now, it all feels like a lie.
Still, I’m struggling to take the ring off. Is Maia still wearing hers? Probably not. I’m sure she removed it the night she asked for the divorce.
If I ever want to reenter the dating scene, I need to move past this hesitation. I slide the ring off and slip it into my pocket, its weight suddenly heavy as a boulder. I sigh, staring at my bare finger, then finish the video by adding a few effects before uploading it.
Once that task is done, I sit and think about how I was hounding Luca about his exes, completely forgetting that I have a few women in my past too.
My first high school crush was Bongani, but nothing ever came of it. She still messages me on Social Bunny from time to time, though I think she got married a while back.
Then there was Inata. I met her in Batuu, and there was nothing between us but woohoo. Honestly, that’s exactly what I’m looking for right now. I wonder if she still works there. I still have her added on Social Bunny, but we haven’t kept in touch. If I went back to Batuu, would she even remember me?
And finally, there’s Perla—who I once considered my first love. The only reason we broke things off was because my younger brother Mase was jealous of our relationship. But Mase is happily married now, so there’s no way he’s still holding on to those old feelings.
I remember one of the last things Perla said to me when we were teens: she always thought I’d be her first. We’ve both had our share of firsts, seconds, and thirds over the years, but maybe we could still make that happen.
Last we spoke, she and her husband had separated. I cut her off at Mase’s wedding because I was still married then. We promised to stay friends, and it’s possible she’s divorced now too. Maybe we can stretch the definition of “friends” and add a few benefits.
I pull out my phone and call Perla.
The phone rings several times before I finally hear Perla’s familiar breathy voice.
Perla: *on the phone* Dub? Is that you?
The surprise in her tone is obvious.
Wade: Hey, Perla. Yeah, it’s me.
Perla: How have you been?
I pause for a moment. I don’t really want to get into what happened between Maia and me, but it’s already out on the nets, so Perla probably knows.
Wade: I’ve been better.
She confirms my suspicion.
Perla: Sorry about the divorce.
Wade: Yeah, thanks. *pause* But I didn’t call about that. I wanted to check in and see how you’ve been.
I hear what sounds like a baby crying in the background.
Perla: Great. Things are actually really good. My husband and I got back together, and we just had twin girls.
I almost choke on my surprise. That’s not what I expected to hear.
Wade: Good for you! I’m glad to hear that.
Perla: They’re a handful, and I’m so busy—but in a good way, you know?
I don’t know. My daughter’s a teen and barely needs me now, and I no longer have a wife. I hate to sound bitter, but I’m not interested in continuing this conversation.
Wade: I do. But I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll let you get back to them. Congrats, and it was good hearing from you.
Perla hangs up without saying a proper goodbye. That was a lot. I’m happy for my friend, but that door is sealed shut, and the key’s rusting at the bottom of the Bagley River in Henford.
I sit in silence for a moment, staring at the screen. Suddenly, I perk up. It’s time for Plan B—and it’s been sitting right here on my phone the whole time. I open the Cupid’s Corner dating app.
Some text pops up to guide me through creating an account. I enter all the necessary information and fill in a few details I’d want a potential lady to know about me, nothing too flashy, just enough to capture some attention.
Now comes the hard part: the profile picture.
I spend the next thirty minutes taking selfies and rejecting them one by one. Maybe I should take off my shirt and let my abs speak for me. I consider it for a moment, then shake my head before dismissing the idea. That’s not the message I want to send. Sure, I’m looking for a woohoo partner, but I’m also open to something more meaningful.
Eventually, I settle on a photo that highlights my gray eyes, hoping they’ll say what I can’t.
With my profile now live, the waiting begins. The thought makes me a little anxious. I’ve been in the public eye for years as a social media personality, but setting up a dating profile feels different. I’ve tossed myself into open water, and now I’m bobbing along waiting to see who bites.
I can only imagine the kind of women that might show up.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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