Maid For Him

Chapter 52

Rickel***

A million scenarios ran through my mind as I took the elevator down to the lobby. I really should have had something stronger than water to drink. God knows I'm going to need a drink when my mother was finished lecturing me.

"Mother!" I walked toward her and she stood up to hug me.

"How is my favourite son doing on this glorious morning?"

I shook my head. "Mom, I'm your only son."

She linked her arms with mine as we walked to the parking lot. The huge smile on her face was creeping me out.

"I know. That's why you are my favourite. So, where would you like to have lunch?"

Something was not right. I had a gut feeling about this. My mother was never this nice to me unless she was about to do something I didn't like or give me some bad news.

Back when I was in third grade she took me to Disney land and pampered me for the whole day. On the way back, she told me that she accidentally killed my goldfish, Gilbert. This was feeling so much like a Gilbert moment all over again.

"Mom is something wrong?" I asked before opening the car door.

"Something has to be wrong for a mother to want to have lunch with her son? Am I such a terrible mother?"

I sighed but decided to test her. "Can we have burgers for lunch?"

I knew my mother hated fast food. She would never agree to burgers unless she was feeling guilty.

"Sure. I'll give it a try." She was still smiling as she got into my car.

Oh I'm so screwed.

I couldn't help wondering what she did. If she ever did anything bad to Reese, I don't know if I could forgive her or even be able to look at her again.

Before getting into the car, I called Reese. She took a while before she answered. "Hey Rickel. What's up?"

"I'm just checking up on you."

She laughed. "Come on. It has only been a few hours since I last saw you. I'm fine Papi."

I smiled. "Ok then, be safe.....and call me if anything happens."

"Nothing is going to happen. I'll be back before you know it."

"Ok babe." I hung up and got into the driver's seat. I forgot to ask Reese where she was. She sounded like she was in an empty building......Or maybe my hearing was just off because my mother was acting weird.

I drove us to McDonald's and all the way there Mom didn't stop smiling and sharing happy memories. It's like in those movies where someone has a deadly disease and they start treasuring every moment with people they have taken for granted their whole lives.

Why did I let my mind go there? Now I have to start wondering if she really was dying. I didn't want to think about that yet. Even though we don't have the best mother son relationship, I wasn't ready for her to die yet.

We get to McDonald's and right before we head inside she turned to me and gave me a tight hug. "I love you." She whispered and I didn't know what to say to that. I was utterly shocked.

She went and got into one of the booths and I got our burgers. I could barely stand up. My legs felt like they had turned into overcooked noodles. My heart was racing and I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my mother.

"Ok....here we go." I placed the food on the table. My voice was a little shaky but she didn't seem to notice.

My mother smiled at me. "I haven't eaten a burger in years." She took a bite. "Oh my gosh. I have missed out on so much."

I nervously bit into my burger and chewed apprehensively. I felt out of place. I've never sat down and talked to my mother without her wanting to control my life.

"So....Reese, huh? You really love her?"

I coughed uncomfortably. "Yes mother. I do and there is nothing you can say to make me-"

"I think it's good that you've found someone." She smiled at me.

I was caught off guard. Renae Nichols was not a woman who approved of maids. She always sees them as being inferior to her.

"Mom. Are you ok?" I couldn't help but ask.

She chuckled. "Oh my God. Am I such a bad mother that something has to be wrong with me for me to ask about your girlfriend?"

"Will you cut the crap Mom? Will you just tell me what's up?"

She looked out the window and sighed. "Rickel, I'm sorry for everything I've done to you in life. This is my way of making it up to you." She rummaged through her bag and took out the black jewelry box.

She handed it to me and smiled. "If you think Reese is the person for you, then you have my blessings."

I took the box from her and opened it to reveal my great grandfather's gold ring. Somehow I felt like I was walking into a trap.

"Uhm....thanks. What made you change your mind?"

She held onto my hand. "I love you son and I don't want a simple disagreement to come between us. I want to be in your life. Not as an overbearing mother but someone you can confide in."

I didn't know how to respond so I started drinking my milkshake. There was something bothering my mother. Something she wasn't telling me and I intended to find out what it was.

We ate the remainder of our food in silence and I was happy for that. I needed time to process all that was happening. Could my mother really change? Was she honest about wanting to be in my life? 

We finished eating and sat for a little while.

"Rickel, as part of me changing into a better person, I would like to get to know Reese a little better. Can we have a family dinner tomorrow night? I promise I'll be on my best behavior." She chuckled at the end.

How was I supposed to respond to her? After all the things she has said and done to Reese, I doubt she would agree to have dinner with my mother.

"I'll ask her and let you know."

She frowned a little. "Could you do a little more than just ask? Couldn't you convince her? Oh my God I'm getting nervous. I want her to say yes. I really want to get to know her."

Now I was getting more suspicious. "Sure. I'll see what I can do."

The smile returned to her face. "Thanks son, now let's get you back to work."

Oh this was bad. Really, really bad. I couldn't fight back my paranoia this time. Something bad was definitely going to happen soon.