“You thought I couldn't handle it?” I asked. Offended. My gaze staring daggers at my mother. She looked into my angered eyes. Taking it all in. As if already expecting me to react like this.

  “Remember what he said to you when you moved here.” My mom gave me a reminder.

  I nodded. Unwillingly. “That I am on my own from now on.” I responded. Knowing well what he said.

  My mother nodded slightly.

  “I believe that he was right. You won’t see him anymore. Sano is banned from speaking to you and you should forget him. He is out of our lives now.” My mother said more bizarre things.

  I listened wide eyed.

  “Are you for real?!” I shouldn’t be like this but I grinned widely.

  “You...you come here! Out of the blue! Tell me that you and dad had a divorce! Ten months ago!!! And that it was a mutual agreement…then tell me that he can never speak to me ever again!??” The words she said did not make any sense to me.

  I was mad. Beyond mad!

  My mother eyed me. Then she looked to her right. The same clerk was giving us our order. Iced coffee was placed in front of me and a warm one in a white cup in front of my mother.

  “Thank You!” My mother thanked the clerk.

  “Thanks.” I acknowledged my order but didn’t look at her. My stare was in full attention watching my mother closely.

  “Enjoy your coffee!” The clerk smiled at us awkwardly. Then she left.

  There was silence. My mother reached for the sugar. Two small white paper bags with sugar inside. She ripped the first one open and poured the sugar in. Then repeated the same thing with the second pack. Putting two packs in and then with a spoon lightly swirling it. In a slow and unrushed motion her hands moved.

  I, on the other hand. Didn't even acknowledge my drink. My attention fully focused on the woman in front of me. She took out the spoon of the cup. Put it against the small plate. Then took a sip. Her face did not change. My mother is very good with words and expressions. A little opposite of me. Her skillset has kept many people out of jail. Even companies hire her to deal with all types of different lawsuits. She is acknowledged in her field. This woman knows what she is doing at all times!

  “I know. You are not happy about how I handled this with you but…Rory. Sano wasn’t fully right in what he said that day.” My mother said, mentioning what she implied before. She completely ignored my outburst. How I felt to hear this. Continuing her own dialogue.

  I just stared at her. Speechless.

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  “I came here to apologize and to be your mother again. I am sorry for my neglect and for putting work over you!” My mom looked at me with the most sincerest eyes she ever looked at me.

  I paused again without words coming out of me. Everything she says and does is insane. Totally out of any logic. I couldn’t comprehend it but I had to snap out of my daze.

  “Isn't it a little late for that?” I couldn’t help but bite into her wound.

  She looked pained.

  “I am truly sorry Rory! I came here to be your family. Someone who you can rely on no matter what. Please allow me to atone!” She bowed to me and apologized.

  Now. I truly was taken aback.

  “Mom..” My voice softened.

  “I even bought a home here. To be closer to you. And whenever you need me I will be there for you! There will be a room prepared for you…so you won’t have to live in the dorms anymore.” My mom said with a soft voice. Her eyes were almost tearful. Like she was longing for this and just now had the courage to say it to me aloud.

  “You did what?” I was in a state of shock due every word she spoke.

  “You are moving to Akasia? Like for real?” I was surprised.

  My mom nodded at me.

  “Yes! We can go there after this…if you like. Right now. I am still in the process of moving. So there are people setting things up. If you don’t mind seeing the mess we can go there!” She said to me with this hopeful expression that I’d follow her.

  This woman! The extremes she goes for things she wants. I recognise this kind of passion. That was forwarded to her career. Not her daughter. This was my first time seeing her approach me and acting towards me as her daughter in this way. Even more weird than our usual awkward interaction. I felt a bit alienated.

  Is this really the mother I know? What made her come here like this?

  I was old enough to take care of myself. It was not that I needed her aid anymore.

  “Wait! What happened to our home?” I asked. Raising a question.

  “It’s going to be empty for now. While I figure out what to do with it. I can’t really sell it. Can I?” She said, shaking her head.

  I shook mine.

  “Yeah…your mom would come back to haunt you if you do that.” I said.

  That home I grew up in was a home passed from generations. My mom got it from her parents and eventually she wants to give it to me. That is the only family thing she is dedicated to doing. The rest of her motherly duties are lost. From the urge to excel in her career.

  My mind was full of a storm of questions but I couldn’t ask them right now. The fact that she did not tell me as this divorce happened hurt me.

  Why the secrecy? Why the absence? For now to suddenly realise that it was wrong?

  Things don't work the way she intends to. I won’t let her have her way.

  No way!

  “I won’t forgive you even with all your effort.” I narrowed my gaze again. “Who are you to tell me to not ever speak to my dad!” I said. My anger sparing towards my mother.

  “I am your mother!” She said in her strict tone.

  I laughed.

  “And he is not your dad!” My mother gave me a reminder.

  “He is! He raised me for god sake! While you were busy with your own career!” I will not listen to this woman's demands. What she is asking is ridiculous!

  “That career of mine has helped you in a lot of ways!” My mom rebuked the sentence I’ve heard before. Is she really sorry?

  “Yes! You helped me realize that I can live without your motherly instincts. Thank you!” I responded.

  “I am here to make amends…Rory! Please…I want to be your mother! We can’t fix this from one way only! You have to take a step as well!” My mom said with her eyes desperate, knowing where this was going.

  I shook my head. Anger is leaking out of me tons.

  “You arrive here! Tell me things about your divorce that you hid from me for ten months! With your own demands and then wanting me to forgive you? What the hell mom?” I wasn’t taking this.

  “Rory…please try to understand me!” She wanted me to listen to her.

  “I do understand you mother! But things won’t go your way! What step I am going to take is away from you!” I spoke angrily. Taking that ice coffee with me and leaving her sitting alone.