Later that afternoon, Mom convinces me to hang out at the pool with her. Now that the weather is nice, I’m glad to finally enjoy it. We change into our swimwear, but while she begins to climb in, I head for one of the lounge chairs, ready to relax.
Maia: Aren’t you coming in?
I look at the pool and scrunch my nose.
Tambara: Not with all that stuff growing in it.
Maia: It’s a natural pool. There’s vegetation in it to keep it clean. It’s actually better for you than a chlorinated pool. It’s like swimming in a lake or a pond. You’re very lucky to have one.
It sounds like a privilege. Convinced, I put on my swim cap and walk over to get a closer look, still feeling a little doubtful.
Maia: Come on in, the water feels amazing.
Tambara: Okay, but if something weird touches my leg, I’m out.
I climb into the pool while Mom swims a few laps. Once I’m in, I’m glad I listened. The water does feel amazing. Mom settles onto the floating lounge chair while I drift on my back, letting the sun gently kiss my skin.
After some time relaxing, Mom and I climb out and sit on the edge, our feet dangling in the water to keep us cool.
Juanita walks by on her way to the garden or the greenhouse. Mom stops her in her tracks.
Maia: Juanita! Put on your swimsuit and join us.
Juanita looks from Mom to me and hesitates.
Juanita: I don’t know…
I know Mom is going to insist, so I speak up.
Tambara: It’s okay, Juanita.
Juanita: Yeah? I’ll be right back.
We watch as she heads toward her loft.
Juanita returns moments later in a baby blue striped bikini top and matching swim shorts. She walks over awkwardly and sits beside me, dangling her feet in the pool while Mom and I strike up a conversation.
Maia: So how do you like it here in Chestnut Ridge so far? Are you settling in okay?
Tambara: It’s okay. I miss the weather back home and living in a bigger city, but I guess this place has its charms too. The people can be a little backwards, though. It’s like living in a film from the 1800s at times.
Mom glances over at Juanita.
Maia: Backwards is a bit harsh, don’t you think? There’s nothing wrong with living life at a slower pace. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to return to Brindleton Bay.
Tambara: I guess.
Mom once again looks to Juanita.
Maia: Juanita, have you always lived here?
Juanita: Yes, ma’am. Born and raised.
Maia: What was it like growing up here?
I turn to face Juanita. She pauses for a moment to think.
Juanita: It’s familiar and calm. It’s like living among family because everyone knows one another. If someone is sick, we all show up for them.
Maia: See, Tami? That’s beautiful.
Juanita’s eyes flick quickly to me before she continues.
Juanita: But honestly, it can also be a little restrictive. You have to be careful what you do because everyone knows your business. It sometimes makes it tough to be who you truly are.
Glad Juanita has supported my sentiments, I turn back to Mom.
Tambara: That’s the part I hate—people being all up in my business and thinking they can control what I do.
Maia: Well, every place has its challenges. The trick is to look for the beauty wherever you are.
Again, I guess. Mom always has to be philosophical about everything. Dad would understand exactly how I feel.
She shifts the conversation back to me, my favorite topic.
Maia: And how’s your dating life these days?
I have to physically keep the smile off my face while I pull out my phone to show Mom Marvel’s Social Bunny page.
Tambara: I actually met someone when I visited you in Brindleton Bay.
Maia: Really? You didn’t say anything. Is that where he lives?
Tambara: No. He lives in Oasis Springs now. Have you heard of the Wallace family?
Maia: Yeah, everyone in Brindleton Bay knows of them. There’s a park dedicated to them and everything.
Tambara: That’s where I met him, at the park.
I show Mom his profile.
Maia: Marvel? What a great name. He’s very good-looking. Is he –
Before Mom can fully finish her sentence, Juanita suddenly splashes down into the water, distracting us for a moment.
Maia: Is he nice?
Juanita swims away while I continue.
Tambara: I don’t even know if I could describe him. Nice isn’t enough.
Maia: I can tell by the smile you’re trying to hide that you really like him.
Tambara: I guess. He confuses me, that’s for sure. I like that his family isn’t broke, though.
Maia: Money isn’t everything.
Tambara: Maybe not, but not having it is.
Before Mom can give me another lecture on her upbringing and how she grew up poor, I decide to excuse myself.
Tambara: I think I’ve had enough sun for today. I’m going to take a shower.
I head inside, leaving Mom and Juanita by the pool.
Maia isn’t fooled. She can see that Tami is trying to avoid the conversation. She sighs as she watches her walk away. Once Tami is inside, Maia settles into one of the lounge chairs and leans back, thinking about Tami and her new guy.
Maybe it isn’t a bad thing that Marvel’s family has money. The difference in upbringing between her and Dub added a lot of strife to their marriage, and she knows her daughter. It would definitely cause issues in Tami’s relationship too.
Maia clears her thoughts and closes her eyes for a moment. Juanita swims another lap or two before climbing out.
Juanita walks over to the second lounge chair. Maia is glad to see her relaxing. Just being here a few hours, she can tell that Juanita is being overworked. But there’s something else Maia has noticed. She noticed Juanita’s body language, her expressions, and the way she swam off when she and Tami started talking about Marvel. If she isn’t mistaken, she’d almost say Juanita might be jealous. Is that why she’s so willing to go above and beyond her normal duties, doing everything Tami asks of her?
She understands that Juanita might feel obligated because Tami lets her live here, but she’s sure there’s more to it. She spends a few more minutes lounging and considering that before getting up from the chair next to Juanita. She suddenly feels like cooking. She slips on her dress and turns back to Juanita.
Maia: I’m in the mood for some grilled chicken chimichurri skewers. How about you?
Juanita: I’ve never had it before.
Maia: Well, it’s your lucky day. I’ll have some ready for dinner tonight in about forty minutes. Come join us.
Juanita nods quietly as Maia turns and heads into the house.
Mom is out on the back porch grilling when I head outside after my shower and a quick text conversation with Marvel.
Tambara: Mom, what are you doing? I told you we’d celebrate your birthday. I was planning on taking you out to eat.
Maia: My food will be ten times better than anything we can eat out. You know I don’t mind cooking. We can still consider it a celebration.
Mom’s food smells and looks so good that I’m not about to argue.
She places the food on the table just as Juanita walks over.
Maia: Ah, Juanita, you’re right on time.
Juanita offers to help as Mom serves us all a portion of the skewers and pours us some nectar, but Mom insists on doing everything herself. We take our places around the table.
Maia: So, Juanita, please tell me more about yourself.
Juanita looks like she’s about to choke on her food as Mom and I look at her, waiting for her to talk. She slowly sets her fork down, like she needs both hands just to think, and the whole moment drags on like paint drying.
I rush in to fill the silence.
Tambara: I’ve been learning how to stomp fruit for nectar. Juanita’s been teaching me.
Mom nods, but her eyes linger on Juanita a moment longer before she turns to me.
Maia: Yeah? It sounds like Juanita really knows her stuff.
And just like that, her attention shifts back to Juanita, who has finally remembered how to speak.
Juanita: I’m not really sure what to say.
Maia: Where’s your family?
Juanita: It’s always been me and Dad. He taught me everything I know about ranching, but he passed away a few years ago.
Maia: Sorry to hear that. I know what it’s like to lose a parent. What are some things you like to do, besides ranching?
Juanita smiles, and her face brightens.
Juanita: I’m a pretty good dancer. I win the cowpoke dance contest every year during the Fall festival on the fairgrounds.
Maia: That’s amazing. I’ve never been much of a dancer.
Juanita: I’m also the best archer in town.
Tambara: Archer? Like with a bow and arrow?
Juanita: Yeah, my dad taught me that too.
Maia: I’d love to see that.
I can’t help but be interested.
Tambara: Me too.
Juanita is suddenly back to her talkative self and starts telling us how she once hit a bullseye on a target from clear across the yard. My cell alerts me to a text. I pull it out to check it.
Tambara: Oh, it’s Marvel, confirming our date to go dancing.
Mom continues eating, and Juanita stops talking completely as the table goes silent. I put my phone away.
Tambara: Ugh… I need to get my hair and nails done early tomorrow. Or maybe I should wait until after my competition. I’d better get to bed.
Maia: Go ahead, I’ll clear the table.
Juanita: I’ll help.
I get up and head inside, feeling the change in Mom and Juanita behind me. Tomorrow is the day I’ve been looking forward to. I finally get to introduce Marvel to my world.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
