I Never Left You

34. It can't be

Ray's POV
"it can't be,  Raymond Jordan Fisher your completely out of your mind. how can that cheap girl brain wash you like that. That child is definitely not yours" That's my mum screaming at me all the way from Paris. As soon as she saw the pictures of Christa, she immediately called me and started quarreling over things she has no idea about. She's my mom but that gives her no right to tell me what I can and not do with my life.
My morale for the app I was designing automatically dies off. I shut my laptop in anger and go pour myself a drink. Good thing Ra is not home.
Before my mum interrupted I was trying to create an application that manipulates an organic shredder that reduces all decomposing waste into a semi liquid waste that can be flushed out of the house with it having to end up in the trash can. The app will not only save you the burden to take out all the trash but also reduce the methane gas accumulation in the atmosphere and landfills. To calm my nerves more, I switch on the TV and play Earth by Lily Dicky to the highest volume. Apart from my family, I care mostly about earth. we may not care about climate change and the other nonsense but at least earth is one thing we all share in common despite our unending differences.
***
As soon as Ray's mother landed in the States ,she requested to see me, though an sure Ray must have sugar coated her words. She must have ordered  to see me ASAP. I apply make up ready to face with the lioness that Laura Fisher is.  Ray offered to come with me but I turned him down. That woman must not like me one bit so there will be no need to pretend with her.
"Good day ma'am ", I greet the elegantly woman dressed on the table the waiter directed me to. Dortmund restaurant is a luxurious place and surely looks rich. "Yaaaa, you must be my son's whore" She really hates me. I get into the seat opposite to her , "You look familiar" she finally stops typing from her phone and fully notices me.
"That's because I have been your sons friend since we were kids, went to prom together and still the same person you were supposed to give that letter to when your son was going into the military." I say trying to be as calm and friendly as I can taking the seat opposite her. "Aaaaah so your the Falls girl, so without wasting my time what makes you think your the right woman for my son?". The interview starts right away,  I expected her to start with insults on how am after his son's money like all those wicked mother in laws that I read about. "Ray pretends to be though on the outside but  he's a fragile person on the inside ,he needs someone stronger to always have his back. You may not see me as a potential candidate ,but will the person you think is suitable be able to take care of his needs? Do you take his priorities into consideration?"
"Don't question my choices young lady, I will not sit back and watch my son being trapped into a raising a child that's not his. Did he even take the paternity test?" she raises her voice . I can see she's trying to be a protective mother. Watching out for the vultures after her son.
"He didn't , but...... "
"........ exactly that's what am talking about , just because you see he's a good guy you want to take advantage of his weakness " she cuts me off, making me angrier now. I thought she was a reasonable woman but accusing me of taking advantage of Ray is not one thing I will tolerate.
"You know what, I thought we could turn around this bias and be on living terms but it's clear you don't like my guts so I won't take any of your time. And don't you worry Christa has a loving granny so she won't miss you." I say grabbing my purse ready to step out and let this woman be. "Are you ladies ready to order anything ?" a waiter politely  asks us. "No need,  I was leaving " I say to the waiter already and furiously start to walk away. "Like as if she can afford anything here" Mrs. Fisher scoffs. I turn back, sit and go through the menu. "On second thought, why don't you bring me fettuccuni alfredo" I politely ask the waiter. The expression on her face is priceless. "I will have calm chowder please" she too orders.We sit in silence while we await our orders.
"How's she like? She breaks the silence.
"That's a nice apology, you know" I say not bothering to look up from the phone.
"Alright, am sorry I didn't get to understand you well. Can we have a redo?" She gives me a hard to shake. I take my time before shaking hands with hers. "I guess we can with that", I shrug.
"Hahaha, she could not have done that " moments later, Mrs Fisher is laughing at all the things  Christa is capable of doing. If someone had told me our meeting would reach this cordial part. I would put them on the a truck to mental hospital. 
Laura is a sweet woman once you get to know her. I think Ray gets his sweet touch from her mother. we continue to chat about life and she shares with me on how she was always never enough before her friends. So she would apply as much makeup as she could to please the world. One day she wasn't wearing makeup when she bumped into her husband. He told her that she looked dazzling and that her natural look had swept her away. Few years later they got married and the rest was history.  From that moment onwards, Laura decided to focus on make up that left one with their natural look rather than altering with their appearance as most of the cosmetics on the market.
By the time we down our glass wines,  we've talked about almost everything about ourselves. Mrs Fisher apologies for not giving me the letter Ray left. She realized it was a selfish move on realizing that that was the time I convinced Christa. She invites us to dinner at their house which I gladly accept. Mrs Fisher is really charming once you get to know her. She looks forward to being a better granny than my mum is.
She offers to pay for the bill, claiming it will lessen the earlier insults but I declined, insisting that me not paying will make her accusations true. To lessen the argument, we split the bill and each pays a half. On our way out, I recognized a familiar blonde head with a pink bow hiding behind a menu.  Jenna must really be a dull spy who can't even hide her tracks very well. I ignore her and walk out of my restaurant with my future mother in law.