ENIGMA

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

“How was your last day at work?” Lauren asked once they had all Amelia’s boxes inside the house. They then headed towards the lounge where Lauren had already placed two cups of piping hot tea on the table for herself and Amelia.

“It was unusual.” Amelia replied.

“How so?” Lauren enquired.

“I think I got into an argument with Casey and Nate.” Amelia thought aloud. “If you can call that an argument. It seems they were just teasing the hell out of me.”

“Why? What were you arguing about?”

Amelia sighed. She lifted her head from the back rest and turned in her seat towards Lauren. “They think there might be a friend of ours who wants to be more than just my friend.”

This caught Lauren’s attention. “Are we talking boys now?” Lauren grinned.

“No. Yes. I mean . . .” Amelia sighed in frustration. “Yes, we’re talking boys but not in the way you’re thinking.”

“I never said anything. I just asked a simple question.” Lauren smiled into her mug.

“Mom, not you as well.” Amelia groaned.

“What?” Lauren asked innocently. “Alright, I’ll be serious. Now tell me what happened?”

“Okay.” Amelia pouted. “Well, they think there’s someone interested in me more than a friend should judging by his actions towards me, but I keep trying to tell them it’s his way of being friendly and helpful.”

“And what did Nate and Casey have to say to that?” Lauren asked.

“They think I’m being too dismissive of the whole thing and that I should look deeper into it.”

“Maybe they have a point Amelia.” Lauren said. “They wouldn’t both strongly agree on the same thing without a solid reason and you know how difficult it is to get those two to agree on the same thing.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “I know that all too well.” A moments of silence passed as they got lost in their own thoughts.

“Think about what they said carefully and try to understand why they’re saying that.” Lauren advised. “Who knows, maybe they’re right? If not, at least you’ll be able to understand what made them think that way of this friend of yours.” Lauren patted her shoulder softly.

“I guess you’re right.”

“Personally, I hope they’re right. I think it’s high time you paid attention to the opposite sex. You’re not getting any younger my dear.” Lauren stood up.

“Mom!” Amelia exclaimed, embarrassed.

“Don’t mom me. You know I’m right.” Lauren smirked.

“Any guy that can’t understand that my mother will always come first, doesn’t stand a chance.” Amelia laughed.

“Don’t throw your life away just because of me Amelia. You need to have a little fun while you’re young.” Lauren smile sadly.

Amelia sat pensively, pondering on her mother’s words. She knew Lauren was right, but Amelia didn’t see it as her throwing her life away. She cherished every minute she spent with her mother. They had both gone through so much together and Lauren stayed strong all for Amelia’s sake. It was hard not to make the world of her mother when Lauren was all Amelia had anyway.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have a doctor’s appointment to get to, so I’ll be leaving.” Lauren placed her handbag over her wrist. “And think about what I said Amelia.” She smiled then turned around and left.