After I parted with Shin. I walked down the street.

  The weather this morning was surprisingly warm. Even the sun was partly shining. Making the air feel very nice on the skin. On the way to the dorms my plan was to sleep in. There weren’t too many people out on the streets right now. I mean it was still early. In my vision. I could count around six people. All rendered on different streets. One of them walked opposite me. It was a woman. At least twice my age but still her features seemed to be very fine. Wearing a long coat. A big bag and fashionable high heels. She kind of reminded me of my mother. Looking up, I scanned her face.

  We were approaching the moment where we would pass each other.

  I couldn't help but stop in shock.

  “MOM!” I froze. Completely stunned by running into her like this.

  Her brown eyes shifted. She noticed me and opened her mouth surprised. She stood surprised, same as me.

  “Rory! My dear daughter!” Her voice spoke rather softly. She came on to hug me.

  I held my hand out stopping her and narrowed my gaze.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked the question. For real! What is she doing here?!

  “I…” Her gaze was surprisingly warm. She was biting her lip. With an intense stare not letting her words flow.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked. Now I was concerned.

  “I…Me and Sano had a divorce!” She blurted out words I did not expect. Her words hit me like daggers. A divorce? Mom divorced dad? What?!

  I had to pause a moment. My mind was not accepting the words I had just heard.

  “I am hearing things. Am I?” I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or else.

  “Do you perhaps want to go somewhere to sit down?” My mother’s eyes shifted away from me. Uncomfortable. Trying to look everywhere else but me.

  I gulped down my shock and nodded slightly.

  “Let’s go in there!” I pointed to the closest place that one could sit in.

  I felt like I was jolted awake. All my sleepiness is gone now.

  It was a different cafe than me and Shin went. This one was similar to the other one but in a different place. My mom looked at it and shook her head. Then turned to walk in the direction of it. I stood there for a moment staring but then jolted to follow her. Has she overworked herself again? Her posture didn’t seem like the usual confident woman that I knew. The mom I knew was someone who never wavered in any situation.

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  Are things that bad? I couldn’t help but worry.

  “Why didn’t you send me a message or call me that you are coming here?” I asked a question to her. Yes, she tended to disappear for periods of time because of work but one thing she always did was to send me texts, messages or even emails.

  If I think about it. In the last couple months she has been quite busy with cases.

  My mother is a lawyer and she loves her work. Sometimes even more than me.

  “I didn’t know what to say to you if I called you!” She said, walking in front of me. Her head didn’t even move in my direction as she said that.

  I managed to catch up to her. Walking next to her. My gaze towards her.

  “I don’t understand!” I spoke slowly.

  Things must be bad! This is not the mother at her best. She again didn’t answer my words. Instead reached her hand to enter the cafe.

  I followed right behind.

  “Do you want something specific?” Mom asked. Her eyes scanned the menu.

  I looked up at it myself. “Iced coffee with a little vanilla. No sugar.” I picked a drink and she nodded.

  “You’ve been working hard. Haven’t you?” She eyed me knowingly.

  I nodded slowly.

  She turned to take the order.

  “Can we get one iced coffee with vanilla? No sugar.” My mother asked the clerk by the till.

  A young woman in her early twenties. Wearing an apron. Dark hair. Up in a hat and that customer service smile.

  “Sure! What size drink do you want?” She asked and eyed me.

  “Medium.” I replied.

  The clerk took the notes for the drink. “Anything else?” The clerk asked.

  “A regular coffee. Medium size and a cone.” My mom ordered. Pointing at the cone at the display.

  “Do you want some?” She eyed me asking.

  I shook my head. “I am fine. Thanks!” I declined.

  Then my mom turned back to the clerk.

  “Is that all?” The clerk asked her.

  “Yes!” My mom finished her order.

  “That would be fifteen, ninety-four.” The clerk said.

  Mom took out her credit card to pay for it.

  “Please, have a seat! We will take your order to you!” The clerk spoke when she gave my mom the receipt.

  “Thank you!” My mother thanked her and then turned towards the seat. Not too many people were inside here. Some couple of friends, family or like Shin and me earlier. A couple. All enjoying their Saturday morning breakfast peacefully.

  My mom looked over a table in a corner by a window. Choosing that spot she moved herself towards it. I followed her. She is avoiding my eyes.

  We both sat down in front of each other.

  Her makeup was flawless as usual. Hiding any imperfection. Dressed in a smart, clean, elegant outfit. She took off her jacket. Put it on the back of the chair and placed her handbag next to her. The look in her eyes was something that made me very uneasy.

  “Tell me what happened!” I could help but ask because she was honestly worrying me.

  “Ten months ago me and Sano divorced each other officially.” My mom said words that I did not expect her to say.

  She seemed to try to regain her confident voice as she said it.

  “Ten months ago?” I gaped.

  “Please listen, Rory! Before jumping out of anger!” My mom spoke firmly.

  I swallowed my emotions and nodded.

  “Okay. Speak!” I said. My eyes slightly narrowed.

  “Our marriage was problematic for a while. The decision was mutual. Sano and I simply fell out of love.” My mom spoke words that she seemed to be rehearsed over in her mind. “The decision to not to tell you about it back then was also mutually decided by both of us. You were barely months into your studies. We didn’t want you to distract you from that.” My mom said bizarre things that my mind kept rejecting at every turn. My mom was pointing out how important they felt it was to matter. That is my education.