Isa’s following days were filled with his mother nagging on him about his way of living. Michelle raided his whole house and concluded that there wasn’t one healthy piece of food in it.
So they went grocery shopping together, and afterwards they even went shopping. Isa didn’t complain, he was glad to see his mom once in a while. Friday night was the last night they’d spent together before she would travel back to Michigan. Michelle invited Jace over for dinner, he was like her lost son.
Jace licked his lips at seeing the whole table being filled with Michelle’s cooking. “I missed you dearly” he said. Michelle laughed: “Did you miss me or my cooking?” He winked.
“So when is dad coming around again?” Isa asked. It has been 6 months now since he had seen him. They got along but sometimes they had their differences. They were both too stubborn to give one another a call every now and then. Michelle looked at her son, how he reminded her so much of her husband.
“I don’t know dear, but you should come visit us sometime. Take Jace or a friend with you.” Michelle said, actually implying a woman. Jace wiggled his eyebrows :” Yeah, maybe you need to take a female friend. You know you can’t marry me, right bro?” Jace said laughing.
Isa grumbled. “Stop bothering me about meeting a girl.” Michelle actually pouted. She had never seen her son in a real relationship but she was so excited about it. She wanted to have grandchildren, and that’s what she’d told him.
“Aw mom, don’t even go there. I haven’t met anyone yet, you’ll be the first one to know if I do.” Isa said. “Just open your heart Isa.” Michelle said. Why did he immediately think of Iris when his mother said that last sentence.
Isa sighed, never have I ever dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul he thought.
The rest of the night was filled with sharing memories, reminiscing and joking. Isa was glad to see his mother again but at some time she needed to leave. So the following morning Isa piled her bags in her trunk and waited for her to come downstairs.
“Mom, if you don’t come down now you’ll be caught in traffic jams!” he yelled. Michelle came down to give her son a big hug. “Jace told me about your patient, a girl. Keep me informed Isa.” She said smiling. Isa groaned. “I would never go after a patient mom” he denied.
“We all do things we said we would never do.” Michelle said smiling while giving her son another kiss.
“Drive safely and tell dad I said hi” Isa said sadly, he missed having his parents near him. “Goodbye son”, Michelle got behind the wheels and slowly backed out of the driveway. She gave one last wave, stopped in the middle of the road and opened her window.
“Love you baby!” she yelled. Isa snorted at his mother’s antics. “Love you too mom” he replied. Michelle laughed out loud and drove off. Isa made himself a cup of coffee and went to sit in his living room. His mind was already preoccupied by Iris, he remembered a quote of Leo Tolstoy fitting this moment. ‘He in his madness prays for storms, and dreams that storms will bring him peace.’
Iris was working at the diner that morning. It was an easy morning, only regular customers showed up. The bell chimed indicating that someone walked in. Iris turned around wanting to greet the customer when his eyes caught her off guard for a split second. Those kind brown eyes reminded her of Isa and how he slowly but surely managed to make her look forward to the next session.
