147 Disappointment

~Gemma~

We finally arrived at the estate, and I was surprised to see my mother was the one outside to receive us. It was really unnecessary, but Aunty Tamia made it a duty to always be outside when either of us was coming home, and it sort of became a culture, something even the women in my generation had embraced. Sometimes, it would be Josephine, Elaine, Layla, Sarah, Lilly, Eleanor, and me, and other times, it would be our mothers or whoever was around.

The bus came to a halt, and we were all alighted. My mother had a broad smile on her face but gave me a look of disapproval.

She was surprised to see Brandon with us. She looked at Uncle Theodore, and he seemed to look like he was okay with it. Ushering us into the house, my mother pulled me aside.

"Why would you go to Hayland without telling us? Your father is livid," she asked.

"At twenty-five, I believe I do not owe anyone an explanation for what I do. I am old, you know," I said, and she sighed and stopped walking.

"I know Gemm