A true kiwi story

Chapter eighteen

Chapter eighteen

Pulling up to Jethro’s drive I was still fuming. As I took my helmet off the front door opened and out walked the lady said to be my mother. She looked sober compared to the last time I saw her at my father’s funeral. I couldn’t believe she had the guts to turn up there, not to mention turning up drunk.

“Hey Aroha. I would like to apologise for what I said to you that day that you turned up here to meet me with my son Jethro. And you were right. I am the slut not you. Also sorry for turning up drunk to your father’s funeral. It really wasn’t the best time or place to see you again” she said as she came and stood next to me.

“Ahhhh, thanks for apologising I guess. I really need to see Jethro right now, do you know if he is in?” I ask sifting my weight from foot to foot. She may be my mother but that doesn’t mean I want to be around her any more.

“No he isn’t sorry darling. Ripeka and he left an hour ago to travel down south for a few days. Ahh a lovely romantic weekend away, I remember when your father use to take me on those” she said starting to ramble on.

“Oh, ok. Thanks anyway, I will be on my way” I say turning around to put my helmet back on.

“Wait” she said almost yelling at me. It sounded like she didn’t want me to go. “I know we didn’t really hit it off well but I was wondering if you would like to maybe come get lunch with me.”

“Um sure. Did you want to go now?” I asked cautiously not really knowing what to expect.

“Great! Shall we go now? We can take my car” she said racing back into the house to get whatever it was that she needed.

Getting out of her car we walked in silence into the burger bar.  Sliding into a booth we grabbed the menus.

“So… what would you recommend off the menu? I have never been here before?” I asked her scanning the options.

“I love getting the triple meat burger with kumera chips and aloi” she told me putting her menu down and calling a waiter over to the table.

“Sounds great. I will get that then”

I sat there thinking as she talked to the waiter who just happened to be an apparent family member from her side of the family. I didn’t really know if coming out to lunch with her was a good idea, yeah I guess she seems sober but I wouldn’t know if she really is.

“Aroha” I hear her call my name.  Lifting my head to look at her she smiles. “I have been calling your name for a while, I thought you had fallen asleep”

“Aroha mai, I just didn’t hear you”