Shadow Play

03. Elizabeth

Her house was nice and a bit too colourful for an old lady; the bright green rug, coupled with the peach painting on the wall, gave the living room a characteristic childish look.

There were so many paintings on the wall which I think her granddaughter made. I had seen the young girl and her mum a few times when she came to visit, and she brought new paintings each time she came.

I stepped in as she led me to the sofa. Furthermore, I placed the little gift I came with on the side table while pixie rolled up on the rug close to my feet.
I looked around wondering where her cat was.
" Umm...Mrs Hamilton, where's your cat ?"

She gave me a Stern look as she sat opposite me. " Is that why you're here?"

That was rude ...old people were rude!

Plastering a fake smile on my face, I reached for the box of cookies and handed it to her. " I made this as an appreciation for helping me earlier." She took it, opened it and sniffed it.

Did she think I popped in it?

She snapped it closed and adjusted her glasses."Then you should join us, your friend and Alma are making pancakes in the kitchen."

Alma was her house help, and why did I suddenly have an idea that she was referring to Dwain? Besides, I knew he hadn't left because his car was parked outside Mrs. Hamilton's.

I rolled my eyes."There's no need, I won't be staying long anyway."I made a motion to leave.

She gestures for me to sit back down."Oh .no...you should stay and at least try the cookies you made, just in case you put something in it."

I was taken aback. " Did you think that I'll....."

"Oh...yes, you broke my flower pot once !"

" That was an accident!"

" You threw a stone at my cat!"

" That was because it purred at me!

"That was a kind gesture!"

" Well, I ......"

Our bickering was interrupted by someone clearing his throat. I huffed and sat back down, I might as well have a taste of my cooking.
Dwain placed a plate filled with hot pancakes on the table and sat next to me.
"So...what were you guys arguing about ?" Alma handed a bottle of water to him, slightly bowed and quietly left.

I nonchalantly picked a cookie from the box and gave Mrs Hamilton a look that said, 'Let's see if I'll choke to death,' and chewed on it ever so slowly.
" It's none of your business, don't you have work?"

"Of course I do, I'm not jobless. I just wanted to check on you."

I scoffed."Of course, you're not jobless like me, isn't that what you wanted to say!"

He ignored me, helped himself to some pancakes and also gave some to Mrs. Hamilton. She smiled at him and rained blessings on him. I brought cookies but didn't get any blessings.

" Where did you learn how to cook? , young man."She asked. Now I felt like a ghost, maybe I should leave.

"Oh ...I learned from my mum. She's the best!"

Mrs. Hamilton giggled."Back in the day, my mom owned a bakery. She used to make the best breads, cakes, muffins, you name it! Our small bakery was always filled with people."

" What about now?"Dwain piped in.

Mrs. Hamilton shook her head in sadness. " We sold it, my mom got a better job, but she didn't stop baking. She only baked for the family. "