Chapter 5 Bye Monti!!

How have you been, Monti?"

'Good, what about you, Mom?'

'Good too,' she paused for a while, looking agitated.

'I hope you are well, Mom. Is Aunty Kylie good too?' She stared at her mother's feeble hand and her clear skin tone. She was as beautiful as ever, looking young and agile.

'Yes, dear. I am very well.'

'I wouldn't believe that. Are you still going today, Mom ?'

'Yeah.'

'Then why do you look so agitated? Are you afraid of flying to Florida?'

'Yes.'

'Don't worry, Mum, you are going to be fine after the flight.'

'I know.'

'Then why are you so gentle?' she asked.

'Nothing, I am just going to miss this city, and you most especially.'

'Oh, now I get it. Well, I can't stop you from going because you would work for the first time in twelve years. I remember you stopped working when I was five.'Monti said ,repairing the lace of her shoes.

'Is that true?' Sharon asked, looking appalled by such a statement.

'Yeah, Mom, it's because you have people sending you money and stuff. You would have been working a long time ago.'

'Times are gone more than I thought. I didn't even remember that.' Sharon replied.

"I remember quite well." Monti said.

" You have a sound, a retentive memory, you know?,"sharon said .

"I think I have heard that from you many times," Monti replied.

"What about Dad? I really need to know why he had to come to your place and slap your face when he has no business here?" she questioned.

"Your dad relocated to California last week. He said he came for work, so he branched to check up on us. He thought he would meet you," she chuckled.

"It will be so hard to realize you wouldn't be the same baby he used to carry and play with till she was six. I told him he shouldn't come here to ask about you; he neglected you eleven years ago. Only a few times does he call to ask how you are doing," she lamented.

"That was when he got married to his second fiancée, right? I wouldn't blame him. He had another family; he totally forgot his own. You guys were together for six years and couldn't get married. I wonder why that is so?" Monti said.

"And Mom, don't you think he is seeking your attention!" she added.

"Not at all. He is dating a young lady now, Monti."

"Okay, I am going to miss you though."

"I wouldn't want to keep you here. I have to be at the car park ten minutes from now. Do you mind following me there?"

"Sure."

She helped her with a few of her luggages, and they walked together towards the park.

"Mom!"

"Yes?"

" I am sorry I spoke to you harshly last week."

"See someone, someone who's missing me already. I understand, no problem, my darling. I am also very sorry about your boyfriend. I have been trying to contact him ever since then, but it hasn't been working."

"I heard he had left this city this morning."

"What?"

"Yes, mom, that's true. I don't know which city, but I was sure he left this morning."

"Why?"

"I don't think you should be asking that question of me. Although I feel that there is more to him leaving this city than that incident that happened between the two of you. He should have entered college last year. I think he might be on a quest for his admission."

"Oh! How I wish I could have apologized to him before going."

" It's okay. He would wish the same too." MONTI replied.

" I will miss this city." Sharon said.

"There is nothing to miss here; the neighbors are not good to you. So what do you miss here?" She asked.

"Do you think so? Those around me are the only haters I have. If I get to the other street, they love to have me keep their company every time I get there."

"Maybe because you can sing opera quite well. No one would let you accompany them if you don't have such talent."

"Hmm (Sharon sighed), I will miss you so much." She concluded.

"Yeah, me too."

" Though I trust you to excel in your exams and always make out with everyone. Thank God you have a place to stay before I go; our house is open for sale. I dropped your details; you will get the inquiries whenever you see a buyer."

"Mom, the house might still be useful to us. Where would I go whenever we have holidays? Perhaps you know phones are not permitted in our school. Buyers would have to contact every single hour."

" I have discussed this with your aunt.Don't worry too much; you have a place to stay in Florida. You might go to college there. I discovered there is a college of art closer to where your aunt stays."

"It's okay, Mom; we have reached the park. You should take a car to the airport. Did she send you money for your flight?" Monti inquired.

" Where do you think I will get such money if she doesn't give me?" Sharon replied.

" I hope she isn't taking it out of your monthly income."

"She wouldn't do that; you don't have to think less of her, Monti."

" I am not thinking less of her. I am telling you the truth; this is what business owners do these days. Mom! You have to wake up. Things have changed and the world has improved. The way things worked ten years ago in a company is not the same way it works now." Monti snapped those words in her mother's ears.

"Okay, Monti, I have heard you. I will contact you when I get there." Sharon said.

"Call me if anything happens, Mom. Don't keep things from me. She said.

They proceeded to hug each other as a cab parked in front of them.

" Is this the ride you want to take?"Monti asked.

' yeah Monti . I pay for what I can afford.'

'Not bad . Bye mom.

'Bye Monti,Missing you already.'