June wore a sober expression as she broke the news to her mother.
“I just signed a business deal. I’ll need to travel to North City.”
Evelyn clasped her hands with a smile. “That’s great news! Congratulations! Why do you look so distraught? I thought something bad happened.”
June was happy with the reception but she took it a step further. “I would need to stay there for three months,” She explained. “I planned to work remotely but that was not an option.”
“I don’t see the problem.” Evelyn said with narrowed eyes, “Is there something I’m missing?”
June couldn’t believe her mother was cool about it. She spent a lot of time and nerve building the courage to confront her with the news she might be leaving the country but it seemed like her mother didn’t care much about it.
Maybe she was overthinking things.
Evelyn soon caught up, “Were you worried about me, child?” She asked and June pursed her lips.
“I could arrange for you to fly with me while I work. I think it would be a good change of scenery. South City holds a lot of bad memories and we can’t stop looking over our backs.”
“It could be our little vacation. What do you think?”
Evelyn smiled at her daughter’s thoughtfulness. Of course, she was worried about her. Evelyn had always been vocal about her disdain for travelling. She loved South City and built her life in the confines of the country.
“It will be your little vacation.” She said and June wore a confused expression. “I don’t ever want to be the reason you are hesitant to take that next step, June.” She said with a smile.
“I heard you crying the previous day and I wondered what I could do to ease up your pain.” Evelyn wore a sad smile. “I hate how useless I have become to you.”
June shook her head, “No Mother. Don’t ever say that. You are my strength. I am happy to have you, please don’t think low of yourself.”
Evelyn engulfed her child in a hug. “You are a special child, June. Always have been.” She let her go with a smile. “I won’t be following you to South City.”
June was surprised at the sudden turn of events. “What? Why?”
“This is the best opportunity to reinvent myself. Like it or not, I still have some strength in me.” Evelyn smiled. “Besides, I’ve been thinking of taking the bar exam.”
“You want to become a lawyer?” June couldn’t hide the incredulousness in her tone.
“Is that a crime?”
“No.. of course not. I’m just-”
“Wondering why?”
June nodded.
“I’ve learned how corrupt the system can be,” Evelyn said. “My life has been a Melo drama of woes and I can’t even touch the one who ruined it because there are corrupt officials at every end, waiting to carry out the wicked instructions of the highest bidder.”
“I want to learn the laws of this country and know my rights. If I am lucky, maybe put some bad guys in place before I die.”
“Mother!” June reprimanded.
“I know, I know. I will live a very long life.” Evelyn smiled. “Works for me, the more bad guys we put in their place, the better.”
June and her mother shared a light laugh and the atmosphere turned serious.
“You know April is still out there, right?” June said. “If she knew you were better, she would come for you with blazing guns.”
“She doesn’t need to know,” Evelyn said. “The next bar exam doesn’t come until three months anyway. I will be cupped in here, preparing for the exams.”
June wasn’t satisfied. “You can prepare for the exams in North City.”
“Studying South City laws in North City?” She gasped, “I could be arrested for that!” She joked. “Besides, I need some space too.”
June held her hand over her heart in a dramatic gesture.
“You heard right. I don’t get any alone time these days. This would be the perfect holiday if I had a good yard and some sun.”
June bit her lips in thought. “I was thinking of getting a house in South City.” She exposed. “Something we can call home.”
“About time! Between me and you, I was getting tired of hotel foods and servants.” Evelyn said. “I miss taking care of a home. I know that’s rich coming from me since I destroyed my home by letting that witch in but sue me.”
“Mother! Who is feeding you with these words and ideas?” June asked with a sweet reprimand.
“I’ve been on the internet lately. You youngsters have a lot of colourful words at your disposal. I am merely scrapping the edges.” She interlaced her daughter’s fingers. “All I’m saying is, don’t get too worried about me. Go out there and do great things. I’ll be fine.”
June was moved to tears by her mother’s support. She engulfed her in a hug and fell apart on Evelyn’s shoulders. It was a beautiful sight to behold. A few minutes into their moment, Evelyn cleared her throat and made a joke.
“Just please ensure you get the house ready before you leave. I’d hate to spend three months alone in this hotel, however exotic it can be.”
June chuckled. “Copy that.”
The next day, June spent her time surfing for a new home. A couple of realtors offered her different houses and Lucy sorted through the houses and made a list of buildings they were to see.
The journey to finding a fitting home began and June visited some houses, each one of them having a yard. On the fifth run, June was tired and ready to call it a day. Lucy encouraged her for one more viewing and she was glad she did.
“It’s perfect!” June said, already envisioning her mother sitting in the yard and basking in the sun.
“It is one of the new estates created by City Gardens, a subsidiary of Knight Corporations,” Lucy informed. “The neighbourhood is secure and fit for a new family.”
“I love it!” She said to Lucy. “I know my mother would love it too.”
“We can bring her over for a viewing tomorrow before you sign the deeds,” Lucy suggested.
“I agree! Thank you for everything.” June said with a smile. “What would I do without you?”
“Nothing.” Lucy joked. “Absolutely nothing.”
The next day, Evelyn was brought to the site in a black-tinted car. The moment she saw the house, June knew they had found the one by the look on her mother’s face.
“It’s beautiful.” She said with a sombre expression.
June placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s home,”
Evelyn never left. June ordered a deep cleaning of the house, alongside some new clothes, groceries and essentials. By evening, the house was set in a minimalist design, pending further decorations by her mother who was excited to bring everything in her mind to life.
“I was thinking of bringing in a help for you.” June discussed the topic over dinner. “I will be travelling by the weekend, so I scheduled her to come in tomorrow for an interview.”
“I don’t need anyone.” Evelyn was quick to shut it down. “It’s supposed to be my alone time.”
“I promise she wouldn’t be in your way. You won’t even notice her presence.” June assured, “This house is big and you are not growing younger. I’d hate to have you do menial jobs around the house.”
“It’s my home.” Evelyn persisted, “The whole reason we are having this house is so I can feel at home. I don’t want a stranger in my home. Besides, I want to be more hands-on.”
“I had helpers in my home for the past thirty-five years of my life and I spent my life being a bad mother and influence to her child.” She remarked. “Maybe if I was a bit more hands-on, I might have become a better person.”
June didn’t agree. “You were never a bad person. You were just hurt.” She held her hand across the table. “You know what they say, hurt people hurt people.” she squeezed. “Do not go on carrying such a mindset, Mother. I hate to see you punish yourself.”
Evelyn blinked back tears. She didn’t deserve such a daughter. She must have done some good deeds in her past life to be blessed with such a beautiful young lady. She found it hard to forgive herself for all the ill treatments meted out to her.
“It’s okay now, mother. It’s a happy day. Don’t ruin it with tears.” June said, wiping away her mother’s tears.
Evelyn put on a smile. “I’m sorry. This old woman is getting too emotional lately.”
June cheered her mother and they ate their dinner. The next day, June invited Lucy over to the house. Lucy could hardly hide her awe at the place which looked much better with the personal touches and additions to it.
“Mother has a lot planned for this house and I am worried as she has refused to have help in the house,” June said to her friend. “I don’t think I can handle letting her live here alone.”
Lucy smiled. “She probably isn’t comfortable having some stranger around. One thing I learnt from my father is that you trust humans less with every betrayal.” She stood by a picture of June holding a baseball bat as a kid. “With your new house, I’m nursing thoughts of acquiring a home for myself.”
An idea popped into June’s mind. “You want to buy a house?”
“Of course. I just haven’t saved enough to earn me a good place. Besides, I live alone. I don’t want a big house that would deepen my feelings of loneliness.”
“The neighbour’s house is yet to be bought,” June suggested.
“I know. While you signed the deeds, I took a tour of it.” Lucy shrugged. “The house is pricy though. I don’t think I have the heart to spend so much just yet.”
June smiled. “What if you were gifted the house?”
Lucy did a double take, “Don’t play around.” She said, refusing to believe what her boss was alluding to.
“I already signed the deal. We would be getting a down payment by the time I arrive in North City.” She shrugged, “My vice president and friend deserve a little treatment too.”
Before June could finish her sentence, Lucy attacked her with a tackling hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”