Life In Its Time

Joy Inside

CHAPTER 5
The restaurant was crowded. The strong delicious smell of chicken soup invaded my nostrils. I turned in my seat and observed as everyone in the restaurant laughed and made jokes. They devoured their food with happiness - well, I thought they looked happy. Meanwhile, Mama Gabby went around with plates of food on a tray serving people with a huge grin on her face. She related so well with everyone. She made jokes that made people laugh. Her bright blue sundress made her appear delicate and angelic. As she moved about, it flowed around her beautifully. I remembered the first time my Maa sent me to work with her. Goodness, I hated every minute of it. I didn't like this job or this town either.  But then she said something that comforted me. "hey Donnie, its easier to do the right thing when you make up your mind ahead of time, don't you agree?" I blinked, not sure how to respond to her tricky question. "Why don't you go home and come back tomorrow eh," she said with a wink. From that moment on, I wished my Mother was as cool as Gina's Mother.
"Donna, you made it!" Gina's voice startled me out of my reverie. She hugged me tight. I could do nothing to release myself from her crushing hug as I was still sitting down.
"Do I have a choice," I muttered.
"Behave Ladonna," My Mother chastised.
"Its okay Mrs V, I'm used to her aloofness by now," Gina chuckled. Which infuriated me the more. I didn't want to be here. I hated the crowd, that's why it was absolute torture when I worked here last holiday.
"I'll be back, mama is tending to some customers. You know her with her 'customers first' policy," Gina said. She then tapped my shoulder and whispered, "be nice," she warned as she breezed past to the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. I turned to the door and watched as half of Bridge Valley ate. It made me curious as to what celebration Mama Gabby was having. Almost everyone she knows were here. In this town everyone knew everyone. That was just the way it was. Nothing was a secret. Regardless, they gave some privacy from time to time. Then I spotted Miss Udi  walked in, and my heart dropped. What is she doing here? Surely she wasn't hoping to tell my Mother what I did in school is she?

My heart pounded and my leg bounced nervously. I shifted closer to Emily in hope that I would hide myself. She turned with a frown.
"Whats wrong with you?"
"What do you mean? I'm okay. Everything's great." I glanced at my Mother. She was busy reading through the menu, as if she would order anything. I wish she would, so we could leave this crowded restaurant already. I quietly watched as she flipped through the menu. Her long dread locks was in a bun a top her head. The sun peaking through the glass wall reflected on her skin, which made her look glorious. I note to myself to never forget this moment. A moment where I feared what could go wrong and at the same time, how my Mother looked so at peace as she read through an ordinary food menu with so much grace. She's distracted. Good. That means I just have to make sure miss Udi is out of sight before she spots my mother and decides to narrate the whole ordeal that took place.
"You're more on edge than usual. What is going on?" I turned sharply towards my Mother. She watched me with raised brows.
"Huh? Oh. What could be wrong. I'm great. Just tired that's all," I cleared my throat nervously.
"I hope you didn't cause any trouble in school today. Because If you did, I would be so mad at you. And you be sure I'll punish you for it." She sternly warned.
"Why do you always think I did something," I asked. Frustrated.
"Because you always do."
I sighed and folded my arms on my chest.
She went back to reading the menu. While Emily just sat quietly, as usual.
"Why is everybody so gloomy, lighten up ladies," I rolled my eyes at Mama Gabby's attempt to calm the atmosphere. She stood in my vision, as I was sitting by the edge of the chair. Mama Gabby's a short woman in her late forties - just about my mother's age. With kinky shoulder-length dreadlocks, like the yellowish color of the sun setting in the evening, resting on her shoulders. She was wearing a grin - as usual. Which, I must admit, made her look five times younger than her age. My Mother stood up and walked towards Mama Gabby for a side hug. "How are you Gabby? You look sweet by the way," she said with a smile. Mama Gabby snickered, "*you*look impeccable as always Joyce. But I see the tiredness in your eyes dear, what is the matter?" She asked with concern clear in her voice. My Mother sighed heavily, "It's nothing I can't handle."
"Are you giving your Maa problems again Donnie?" She frowned jokingly.
I cracked a smile. "Not that I'm sure which one," she cackled. My Mother was also suppressing a smile of her own. I stood to greet her with a brief hug. She always says she preferred hugs to handshakes. Yet, I find them unnecessary in this situation.
"Good evening Ma," Emily greeted.
"How are you, sweet Millie?" Emily smiled and went back to her seat. We all sat down.
"You all just wait here. The food and the man of the hour will be here soon. He's just picking up a few things before he gets here."
"Take your time," My Mother said with a smile.
"Not so sure about that," I muttered.
The Chime announced the entrance of customers. There she was, Alice Williams. The typical mean girl in school. I was merely a learner compared to her in academics. She's the daughter of the chief of police. Pampered daddy's girl, beautiful and intelligent. It's safe to say me and Gina don't like her very much. Especially after I broke her phone and had to stay home for an entire holiday and missed our planned - campout with my friends. She walked towards our table. Her father is in tow. What are they doing here? Surely the universe didn't hate me so much for me to be facing such a bad phase in my life.
"Oh, how are ya, Joyce? I see you're here with your girls," the chief greeted with his husky voice.
"Yes. How are you chief?"
"Never better," he chuckled nervously. At least - I think he is. The chief was a thick-bodied man with nothing but muscles on his body. He wore everything black, while his daughter had short kinky hair, and was wearing a skinny jeans with a button-up long sleeves shirt Alice didn't say a word as she sat with her father on the seat opposite ours. Seconds later Mama Gabby appeared with beverages. Meanwhile, Gina followed closely behind with a large tray. As she spots Alice and her Father, the three of them shared a smile that caught me off guard. What was that about? But I shrugged it off. A bowl of chicken soup cooked with Irish potato was placed on the table in front of me. I immediately grabbed my spoon to eat.
"Drop it," my Mother warned, "we're waiting till everyone is settled." I sighed and dropped my spoon. Veronica breezed towards us with the glass cups. She arranged it in front of us, then smiled. "Enjoy the food everyone," she cheerily announced and skipped off. Veronica was the only friend Emily has, yet Millie barely says four words to her - and that's plenty. Nevertheless, Emily adores her as she was her only friend. Mama Gabby and Gina sat with the Chief and Alice. Which sprung up questions in my mind. However, I didn't let it bother me. The situation will explain itself I guess.