Chapter 5 ~ My Mom and I

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Just as I had predicted, my mother stood outside with a flashlight, no doubt waiting for me. “Seriously? What am I, twelve?” I muttered to myself as I approached the house.

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As Mrs. Johnson stood outside, patiently waiting for her daughter, an unfamiliar fear tightened around her heart. She despised the idea of her children working or studying in places where she couldn’t keep an eye on them. Whenever they left the house, she was filled with anxiety.

She had grown up in an environment where children—especially girls—went missing daily. When she was about eighteen, she had a narrow escape from being kidnapped. If it hadn’t been for the man who would become her beloved husband, she and several other children might have vanished forever. She had sworn never to let her children stray far from her side until they were someone else’s responsibility. Even then, she insisted they stay in places where she could keep watch over them.

“What’s taking her so long? The restaurants should be closed by now,” she sighed anxiously, glancing toward the direction of the eateries. “Even though I told her to be home before dark, that silly girl.”

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I smiled from the dark corner as I heard my mother curse and call me a silly girl, then quickened my pace. “Mother!” I called out to her.

She exhaled in relief the moment she saw me, though it didn’t stop her from scolding me. “You silly girl, what took you so long? I told you to be home before dark, didn’t I?”

Smiling, I replied, “Mom, you make it sound like I’m a kid,” as I stood at the doorway.

“Of course, you are. Now come on, hurry up,” she said urgently, ushering me inside the house. “And I’d like to know why you’re late, Missy, if you don’t mind.”

“Hahahaha, ‘Missy’? That’s new. Where did you learn that from?” I asked, amused.

“Don’t play games with me, young lady. Tell me why you’re coming home at this hour,” she said her tone serious.

I sighed and sank onto the worn-out sofa. I knew she wasn’t going to let this go, and if I had to explain why I was late, it would mean revealing the Rachael proposal. I grumbled under my breath, “Just for once, I wish I could really lie.”

“What was that?” she demanded, glaring at me.

I realized there was no escaping this, and since I was planning to break the news tomorrow anyway, I shrugged it off. “Nothing serious, Mom! I just ran into an old friend.”

“An old friend, you say?” She sat down, her expression shifting to one of curiosity. “And who might that be?”

“Well, it’s Rachael.”

“Rachael? Do I know her?” Mom asked a thoughtful frown on her face.

“Of course, Mom. You and she used to argue all the time,” I chuckled at her fading memory. “It’s been less than five years, and you’ve already forgotten her?”

Mom stared at me for a moment. “Wait, you mean Berry?”

“That’s the one! Can you believe it? Her parents divorced, and she looks so different now—more refined and beautiful. But don’t worry, she’s still just as clueless,” I said with a laugh.

Mom continued to scrutinize me. “You’re talking about Rachael Berry, the friend who abandoned you, right?”

“Yeah, well, technically, she didn’t abandon me—more like moved away after her parents separated.”

“Oh! Poor thing. But you said you…”

“Mom, I know what I said,” I interrupted. “Clearly, I was mistaken.”

“Alright then, so where does she live now? What part did she move to?” Mom asked as she moved to the counter, opening one cabinet after another, searching for something to put together as ‘food.’

“Uh, London,” I replied, eyeing the half-slice of bread and a spoonful of peanut butter she finally handed me. I forced a smile. “Wow, a feast. You sure you’re not spoiling me, Mom?”

She shrugged. “What can I say? It’s all about the little luxuries.”

“Right…” I muttered, picking up the sad excuse for dinner and shoving it into my mouth in one go.

“Gentle, girl,” Mom chided, watching me. I didn’t respond, just kept chewing—or more like swallowing.

“But Rachael moving to London? That far?” she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Well, yes. Her stepfather didn’t want anything to do with her, so her biological father, who lives in London and his wife, had to come get her.”

 “That’s tough,” Mom said sympathetically.

“Yeah, and it was all so sudden that she didn’t even have time to say goodbye.”

“Hmm,” was all Mom, replied her eyes narrowing in thought.

I went silent, poking at the food on my plate as I mulled over how best to break the news to her. Honestly, I wished Dad were here—he had a knack for making these situations easier.

Mom watched me intently, like a hawk surveying its prey. I didn’t even need to look up to know the expression she was wearing. After all, she was my mother.

“Come on, spill it out,” she said suddenly.

Feigning confusion, I glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

Sighing deeply, she said, “You always wear that dull expression when you’re hiding something. So, what is it?”

“It’s… it’s…” I started to say, but the words caught in my throat.

“Oh, come on, young lady! You know I hate it when you stall. Just spit it out,” she snapped, clearly exasperated.

“Alright, alright!” I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. “I guess I can’t keep anything from you. It’s kind of a big deal, actually. You see, Rachael’s stepmother owns a restaurant in London and has this farm where she grows all the veggies for the business.” I paused, eyeing Mom for her reaction.

“So?” Mom pressed on, her face giving nothing away.

Ah, here we go. “So, they’ve been looking for someone with experience to help out, and guess what? She offered me the job!” I grinned, practically buzzing with excitement. “I’d have to go to London!”

Mom stood up abruptly, taking my empty plate to the sink, or what used to be it. “And what was your reply to that?” she asked, her voice low and tight.

I wondered why she always does that. “My reply? I said yes, of course,” I beamed, smiling hopefully as I watched her.

“And why on earth would you do that?” she snapped, her voice filled with frustration.

“Well,” I began, trying to explain, “it’s a great opportunity. Although Rachel and I haven’t been in touch, she really needs help now. It’s a chance for me to earn more income and support our family. God knows we need it.”

Mom’s hands gripped the edge of the sink as she turned to face me, her expression darkening. “Gain more income? Is that what you call it? You’re talking about moving across the country, away from everyone who cares about you. How could you agree to something so reckless?” She spat out, her voice seething with anger.

I blinked several times, staring at her in confusion.

“What now???”