I wake up the next morning and find Mom outside talking to the money tree. It’s a strange thing to do, but I’m not surprised she’s doing it.
Maia: *mid speech* … and we want you to grow healthy and continue to provide for the family.
I shake my head and clear my throat. Mom turns around and faces me, looking a little irritated, or maybe embarrassed, that I caught her.
Maia: Good morning.
Tambara: Hey, Mom. A new café just opened in town.
Maia: Yeah, I heard about it from customers at my food stand yesterday.
Tambara: If you haven’t had breakfast yet, I was hoping you’d want to go. I have some news to share.
Maia: Actually, that sounds good. I have something to talk to you about as well.
We turn and head inside to get ready to leave.
We arrive at the newly opened Bikini Bottom Café, which also serves as an aquarium. It’s a large building that looms right at the edge of the waterfront. Outside, there’s a playground and a water spray park. No kids are out there playing even though it’s warm out, but it’s still wintertime, so I’m not surprised. Judging by the smile on Mom’s face as we approach the entrance, I’d say she’s pleased with the place.
We reach the counter right on time to be among the first customers, avoiding the inevitable crowds and long lines. We step up and order pastries.
We find a table in the corner and eat our food. Mom looks around with childlike energy, silently taking in the café atmosphere, pausing from time to time to watch the fish swim around their cozy aquariums. After we’ve cleaned our plates, she initiates the conversation.
Maia: So, what did you want to talk about?
I pause for a moment for dramatic effect, but Mom’s smile urges me on.
Tambara: I’ve made some progress on buying my ranch. I contacted an agent and put in a bid.
Maia: That’s good!
Tambara: And it looks like I’m going to get it. According to the agent, large ranches aren’t exactly flying off the market these days.
Mom’s smile fades, and she suddenly becomes very serious.
Maia: So, are you prepared for this? It’s a large undertaking. Have you given some thought to how you’ll generate income?
I’m not in the mood for Mom to get all serious and start bursting my bubble, so I lie and swiftly change the subject.
Tambara: I have some things in mind. But what about you? What did you want to talk about?
Maia: I’ve been thinking a lot about my next steps in life. You’ve been my focus for so long, but now you’re all grown up, and I need to figure out something new to do.
Mom pauses, giving me time to respond, but I don’t. I wait for her to continue. She takes a deep breath and releases it with her next words.
Maia: I’ve decided to move back to Brindleton Bay.
That’s not what I expected her to say.
Tambara: Really? Why Brindleton Bay?
Maia: It’s where I lived when I met your father, after I left home, but you already know that.
Mom looks off into the distance. The smile returns, and her eyes glaze over into a dreamy state.
Maia: Honestly, it’s where I was happiest, where I was most proud of myself, and the place that felt the most like home. I’ve told you about my frog collection at the museum, but did I mention I used to host lectures during school visits?
I try to recall, because I’m sure she has, but whether I was actually listening or not is an entirely different story. It doesn’t matter; she doesn’t wait for me to respond anyway.
Maia: I checked last night, and the small homestead I used to rent is now up for sale. I can actually buy it. And now I can finally afford to. It’ll be all mine.
I think about Mom’s plans, and she sounds just as happy about them as I am about my ranch. It seems the Banks women will both be moving on.
Tambara: That’s great, Mom. It’ll be nice for me to get back to Brindleton Bay to visit, you know, since I was born there.
Maia: Yeah, it would be.
Mom and I wrap up our conversation as my mind drifts to Daddy. I wonder how he’d feel about her moving away. From what Mom says, moving back to San Sequoia was his idea. She didn’t fight the move, but based on her history here, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t exactly her dream scenario.
Maia: This was nice. I’m glad we did this, but I’d better get home. Like you, I have a lot to plan.
She’s right, but I’m in procrastination mode. I’d rather sit and chill for a while than face the long list of things I need to do to prepare for my move.
Tambara: I’m going to grab a drink and stay and check my social media for a while.
Maia: Okay, see you back home.
Mom heads out the door while I purchase a drink and find a cozy spot to chill.
I sink into a chair in a quiet corner of the cafe and finish my coffee, feeling the warmth fill me as much as my conversation with Mom. Then I pull out my tablet to check my Social Bunny account. To my surprise, there’s finally a message from Udom. I was afraid he would ignore my last DM, but here he is, his picture smiling up at me and distracting me from reading his message for a second or two.
I peel my eyes away to take in his response, something about us getting together to hang out soon. I’m sure it’s a joke, but all it does is bring up thoughts of the miles and ocean between us. Tomarang is just a flight away, of course, but if I have hopes of eventually getting this ranch up and running, I won’t be going anytime soon. I sigh in remembrance of my carefree teenage years. Adulting is already putting a damper on anything happening with Udom.
I respond to his message with a heart‑eye emoji and a quick “I wish” before putting the tablet away. Realizing I’ve wasted enough of the morning, I reluctantly get up from my cozy chair, turn the corner, and run into my friend Kisha.
Surprise flashes in Kisha’s eyes, but it quickly turns to joy.
Kisha: Tami! You’re back. I didn’t know you were back in town. Have you been avoiding me?
I haven’t been avoiding Kisha. I like her in many ways. But my relationship with her brother complicates things.
Right on cue, Enzo turns the corner and quickens his steps when he sees me. Oh, boy. Here we go. I sit down on a nearby bench as they gather around me. Enzo doesn’t even say hello before he starts in.
Enzo: Tami! What happened? I haven’t been able to contact you on Social Bunny. It’s like you blocked me or something.
I chuckle internally, anticipating the look on his face when he hears my next words.
Tambara: That’s because I did.
His expression doesn’t disappoint. I’m tempted to pull out my camera and capture it.
Enzo stammers before getting his words together to form a response.
Enzo: You did? B-but why? I thought we were cool.
Tambara: Nah, we were never cool. I just tolerated you until something better came along.
The disbelief on Enzo’s face is comical.
Enzo: What?
Kisha rapidly looks from her brother to me and back again. I can feel the weight of her anticipation as the confrontation unfolds. Apparently, Enzo can too. He looks at me with sudden urgency.
Enzo: Can we talk in private?
I get up from the bench and follow him as he steps just outside of Kisha’s earshot.
Enzo: What the hell, Tami? Why’d you suddenly ghost me?
Tambara: I just told you, something better came along.
Enzo: But we were supposed to hook up when you got back from Tomarang. You sent me pictures and everything.
Tambara: And I changed my mind. You’re in the minor leagues; I’m after something major.
Enzo: What?
Tambara: It doesn’t matter, and I don’t think I need to explain myself. I’m not interested in you, and that’s the end of it. If you’d like me to list all the reasons why, I can, but I promise you won’t like it. So, can I go now?
Enzo opens his mouth and closes it as his face turns red from either anger, embarrassment, or most likely both.
Tambara: Tell Kisha that she and I are still cool, but you can delete me from your contacts.
I smile sweetly.
Tambara: Goodbye, have a great day!
Leaving Enzo standing there feels like the perfect end to my morning. I’ve taken out the trash and left it at the curb. Now I can sweep away the dust and move on completely.
There’s a swag to my steps as I leave the café and hop on my bike. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful day for a bike ride.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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