Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

38. Breaking News!

The next morning, Sanem and Leyla are at the door putting on their shoes when Mevkhibe rushes downstairs before they could call out they were leaving.

"Wait, wait for me," she puffs, dressed already in black and red.

"Mom?" Sanem jumps out of the way.

"I'm leaving with you."

"Where are you going?" Sanem asks quickly as Mevkhibe kicks off her slippers. "Are you coming with us to the office?"

"Mom, we talked about this. We thought you trusted us?"

Mevkhibe looks between them, pausing in pulling the back of her shoe over her ankle. "What does that have to do with anything? I'm going to open the store."

"The store?" Sanem pulls on her coat and fixes her hair with a frown. "Why are you opening and not dad?"

"He was called in. The driver that was supposed to be working is sick." Mevkhibe explains, stepping down into her shoes before turning to them with her coat in her hands, "Since you mentioned it, I was thinking, and maybe it's not such a bad idea."

"What?" Sanem asks, looking at Leyla who just shrugs that she wasn't following either. 

"I should go to the office with you sometime. You know," Mevkhibe puts on her black coat and starts buttonjng it up, "I can sit on the sidelines and have a look at what you do there. I've always wondered, and I never stay long enough when I visit. I can knit. Drink tea. I'll be quiet as a mouse. Promise." She takes out some umbrellas. "Ask your bosses if I can come, would you?"

"That's a great idea mom, why not?" Leyla blinks and smiles sweetly. "We'll discuss it with Mr Can and Mr Emre, because, as we all know, we're toddlers that needs our mother watching our every move. Brilliant!" She pats her mother roughly and then drops the smile. "Really mom? Come on now," she rolls her eyes.

I don't want to go to watch your every move...though, I do want to spy a little I won't lie... "Don't take that tone with me missy, you're just going to tick me off." She hands Leyla an umbrella. "Here, take these, it's going to rain." Sanem frowns as she takes the one held out to her. "Come, let's go, lots to be done today," Mevkhibe chirps, opening the front door.

"Good morning."

Mevkhibe smiles at Feride stiffly, her curious face not the first thing she had hoped to see so early. "Good morning Feride."

Feride and her daughter isn't the only ones passing their front door with curious glances however. Others are also looking at them and whispering as soon as Sanem and Leyla step out.

"What on earth is going on now?" Mevkhibe mutters when they're pointed at and discussed without shame and all three women look on in surprise.

"Mom, just ignore it for god's sake," Leyla whispers. "They always have to talk about something, don't they?" she clicks ger tongue in irritation. "It's probably still yesterday's news."

"She's right, mom. Don't listen to the gossip." Sanem narrows her eyes at the pointing women. "And especially don't listen to Aunt Aysun."

"Oof, if that woman dares open her mouth today I will..." Mevkhibe takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "She doesn't seem to get tired of being beaten."

"Good, that's the spirit," Sanem nods. "Sweep the floor with her," she punches the air and then takes Leyla's arm. "Come on Leyla, we're going to be late."

"Wait." Mevkhibe steps closer and lowers her voice to a whisper when Sanem and Leyla turn back to her.
"Watch the way you behave. You hear me? I won't have these people discussing you or this family any more than they are. You're also wearing a skirt, so make sure you sit down like a lady."