When History Repeats Itself

Family, Reassembled.

** Alexa - Rashida Jones**

"You are the worst friend ever, you know that right?" I folded my arms across my chest and slouched further into the leather passenger seat of my mum's car. Alexa had demanded to drive and I let her. I was now regretting falling into her well-laid trap.

"If I had told you to go to your mother's place, would you have gone willingly?" She was simply not trying to see reason or maybe I was the one being unreasonable.

"It has been three days since you ran off with your mum's car. I think it is time to reach out to her. She called me last night she is torn apart by all this" Alexa continued.

"Maybe she just wants her car back"

"You and I both know that is not true. You are all she has, never mind she has a boyfriend with three sons. You are the only family she has left"

It was a day after having breakfast with my new boss and getting a call later to come in to work next Monday. I had woken up this morning with the promise of breakfast at our favorite pancake and waffle place. Obviously I was headed elsewhere.

We parked outside Evolve, the bar and restaurant my mother owned and managed. Standing outside the building I had spent a lot of time working in always made me feel a sense of pride. My grandparents started it from the ground up and up until it became successful enough that when my grandmother handed it over to my mum it was still a good business.

I pushed the glass doors open and walked in. The morning crowd was in here, as usual, trying to start their day with our famous local breakfast buffet. I smiled and waved as some of the patrons recognized me and waved hello.

My mum had changed the interior decor once more. At least she had replaced those ugly abstract paintings with gold framed photographs of people celebrating whatever event at Evolve. The thick black and white striped interior walls were a new sophisticated touch.

Alexa and I went to my mother's back office adjacent to the kitchen. I knocked once and heard my mum's voice tell us to come in. Alexa pushed the door open and let me walk in first. My mother was sitting in her desk chair, flipping through a stash of papers on her desk.

My mum had worry lines creasing her forehead. I knew it had nothing to do with work. Business was good. I felt terrible seeing her look troubled but she hurt me.

"Good morning, mum" I greeted shuffling from one foot to the other.

She got up, walked around her desk and stopped right in front of me. She looked angry. I was expecting to get scolded. Instead she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. I lifted my arms and hugged her back.

"You are my only child, Kerry. Do not ever ignore my calls for three days even if you are mad at me" She said before she released me. She was almost in tears now. I was a horrible person.

"I am sorry mum" I apologized.

"It's okay. I am sorry too. I had no right telling you the truth like that"

"Good morning" Alexa greeted awkwardly.

"Hello Alexa. Thanks for bringing her to me. How about breakfast? Have you eaten?"

We shook our heads. I was starving.

She picked up the intercom and ordered for us. She knew our breakfast favorites. Sometimes in college Alexa and I came here for breakfast.

A waitress came in with two plates of food and glasses of iced tea. Comfortably settled in the couch with our food, my mum took a phone call. When she finally ended the call, she turned to face me squarely.