Mother
Wedrove to my mother’s house in companionable silence. As we neared her trailerpark I became self-conscious. Kai had never been to her house. It was a small,cute, blue trailer with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The only thing ofbeauty it held was the lush garden my mother tended daily. It was everything tous. Our refuge after escaping my father’s abuse but now it looked sad, old. Ifelt nervous.
Kaifollowed my directions and pulled up to my mother’s trailer.
Hewas looking at the neighbor’s mattress on the lawn. Not everyone kept theirhome as nice as my mom did.
“It’snot much,” I told him nervously. “It’s all she has.”
Hesqueezed my hand. “Many people in India would die to call this little bluecottage a home.”
Ismiled. “Cottage, Hah! I will buy her a real cottage one day, with a hugegarden,” I stated. I was grateful for his kind words. My mother came out of thehouse wearing her nice blue dress. She was grinning ear to ear. I stepped outand spun around, letting her take in my dress. She squealed and embraced me.“Oh honey. I’m so happy for you. It’s sudden, but it feels right.”
Ismiled. “I love him, mom. Forever.”
Shenodded. “I know, sweetheart. You’re like one of the roses in my garden. Youhave finally bloomed.” She smoothed my hair.
Afterour justice of the peace wedding, Kai took my mother and me out to dinner.
Mymom wrapped her hands around her hot tea. “So, when do I get some grandbabies?”
“Mom!”I scolded her and blushed.
Kaiput his arm around me. “Soon, I hope.”
Irolled my eyes at him. “In a few years, mom, like five or ten.”
“Inten years, your ovaries will be dead,” My mother stated and we all laughed.
Kaismiled.
Thedoor to the back of the café opened and two large men walked in. My inner wolfspiked with fear.Danger.Women’s intuition was a funny thing. Iinhaled. These guys were human, they were dressed like civilians but something toldme they were not friendly.
Kaipicked up on my energy and followed my gaze. The men were staring at me andtold the hostess to be seated at the table behind us. No way in hell was Isitting with my back to these guys. Goosebumps popped out on my arms. One ofthe men looked at my dress and then at my mother.
“Isthis your daughter?” He questioned her, smiling.
“Yes,they just got married,” my mother said proudly.
“Mom,don’t talk to them,” I told her firmly and stood.
“Aurora,be nice.” My mother scolded me. Kai stood as well and stared at the men.
Kaiput it together before I did.
“Ihope those drones aren’t too expensive,” Kai told them in hushed tones.
Theman smiled. “No worries. Your tax dollars pay for them.”
RAIDOS.
‘Getyour mother to the car,’Kai told mewith a look that said things were about to get interesting.
Ithrew money on the table and pulled my mom into a standing position.
“Mom,I feel sick, let’s go.”
“Oh,honey, our food. Okay.” She looked awkwardly at the men and back at Kai. Iwasn’t leaving Kai with them. Hell no.
