HIM

CHAPTER 13

I don't know if this house felt any better with mum around. It felt as if something was going on, but I wasn't aware. Why would it feel so though?
"So, how was work today? " Mum asked me.
She was on the couch when I walked in, coffee in her hand of course. I really can't seem to remember if I've ever seen her with a cup of tea. Well, was I any different anyway?
"Tiresome, but generally good. I think I can make a good waitress, so consider talking to Mr. Jose about it, " I joked.
"You can start by talking to me nicely, then we'll see about it."
"Oh, so how have you been?" I asked, so nicely honestly.
"I feel so fine, so I've been good," she answered.
"That's good, needing some aid like you want me to get you anything? "
"Well yeah, my feet needs some covering. It's a bit cold you know. Plus some more coffee will do," she told me with a smile.
"Uhmm... that will do then. But mum, why coffee always? Not even some hot tea or any other beverage?" I asked walking my way to her bedroom.
"It's not like you're any different you know. So, better go get me my stuff before I reduce my chances of hiring you in my café," she shot up.
I got back in time to hear a knock at the door. Who could that be? It was 5p.m so that seemed a bit...weird? Maybe it was one of mum's friend coming to see her.
"Get the door Linn, " Mum spoke.
"Sure, " I answered making my way to it. And wow! What a nice surprise I found!
"Good evening Linn, " he greeted stretching out his hands.
"Good evening to you, " I answered back as I shook his hands in return.
"Come on in," I said gesturing him in.
Mum turned towards the door just in time to see him walking in.
"Hello,good evening Mrs. Armor. "
"Good evening to you, Flen, right? "
"Yes, am glad you remember me. "
"Am not that old you know, " Mummy commented cheerfully.
Where did the two get to be so friendly? I've never seen Mum interract so freely.
Or maybe it's because we rarely had visitors. Yes, this house has almost always been the two of us ever since our family loss. After father left, the frequent visitor was a certain male doc...wait!  It was Dr. Daniel! That's why he looked familiar. Meaning she understood my mum a bit deeper and maybe helped her out of the trauma.
No family visited, not from daddy's side. As for mummy, I only know of grandma,who came and stayed with us after Jamie's death. Just a few days and she left. But now she was old for travels.
So that's how it's been, maybe she has friends at work, but I never see them around. Wait! Mummy earlier said... Then I realized I didn't know much about Mum after all, why though?

A clap thundered me back to reality.
Right in front of me was my mother.
"Hey, what are you thinking? " she asked me.
"Well, never mind it's nothing big, " I hesitantly answered.
"Ok. I guess you should sit down at least and talk to your friend, am going to go to my room. "
"It's fine," I didn't even know what to tell her.
I didn't sit on the sofa but opted for my recliner instead, which was to the left of the sofa he was sitting on.
"So, what brings you to my home this evening? " I asked Flen.
"You left school angry at your mum not showing up, so I came to check if it was sorted," he stated.
Well, that was funny.
"Really?" I asked him laughing.
"Yes really, tell me," he said.
"I didn't know boys love some sweet gossip too, " I teased.
"No, that's unfair. I just want to know if everything is OK. That's all."
"Mmh... Defensive enough. OK, everything is fine. She was unwell so she had to be admitted, that's why she didn't show up, " I explained.
"Oh, sorry about that. But judging from what I saw, she seems pretty much fine now, doesn't she? In fact, she looks normal," he said.
"Yeah, she's a very strong woman you know," I boasted.
"I know, I can see her in you. "
"That's a good joke, I wish I was anything close to her, " I spoke sadly.
"I know it's in you, but don't worry. Just be you, " he said.

We spent the next few minutes talking about anything we found interesting, more specifically on school. Doesn't sound interesting, but it was chats about our past experiences in primary school. Till he decided to cut it short by saying he needed to get home.
"Suits me fine, it was a pleasure having you for the evening," I mentioned.
"I enjoyed it, thank you. Say goodnight to your mum for me if you don't mind. "
"I'll walk you to the gate, " I offered.
We didn't say anything along the way until we stopped at the gate.
"Well, thank you once again, " he said.
"It was a pleasure, goodnight to you."
"Goodnight Linn, " he said.
Then I turned around to the house before I heard him call out again, "Linn! "
"Yes, forgotten something? "
"No, I just need to ask you something. Can I pick you up tomorrow? " he asked.
"Where to? "
"Just a small walk around, if you won't mind. You okay with it? "
"Well, I hardly leave the house on Sunday, so it's OK. What time? "
"Three in the afternoon, " he mentioned.
"OK, I'll talk to my mum about it. So just come before that time."
"Thank you, goodnight to you, " he said one last time before turning to go.
I didn't turn around immediately this time, instead I stood watching him go. I was starting to enjoy more of Flen's company, so that I felt like I missed him from the time he left. Well...
"What's for supper tonight mum?" I asked entering to her room.
"Flen seems nicer than I thought, descent enough to drop by and say hello to my beautiful lady," she teased.
Beautiful was becoming common now.

"Mum! Actually she was here to inquire about you," I told her.
"Trying to find out if I'll beat him up if he hurts my daughter? Enhe! Tell him... "
"Mum! You seem to have taken an overdose of your medication. I was angry at you not showing up for the presentation yesterday, so he came to see if it was sorted. "
"Oh, am sorry I wasn't there to see you. I was surprised you didn't get mad at me over it, " she said.
"You were sick mum, that was genuine reason. "
"Come here, "she said pulling me into a hug. Wow!
"Flen asked me for a walk around tomorrow, " I took advantage of the hug to tell her so.
"It's OK."