HEDGED
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Episode 6
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I ultimately decided that Mama could come over but not live with us. Her concern about boredom and the need for company was legitimate, in my opinion. I’m not going to deny my old mother the opportunity to live a little.
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I called Mama the next morning on my way to work. I told Mama to pack her belongings and told her I’d be there the next day to pick her up; she’ll be staying with me for a month.
I told Mama to consider this a holiday.
Mama seemed excited, but she also puzzled why it was a holiday. “Why am I not living with you, Greg?”
I assured Mama that this was not a phone conversation. I advised her to make sure her belongings were properly packed for when I arrived to bring her home.
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As promised, I drove over the next day to pick up Mama and the little girl who stays with her.
Mama had packed not only for a month but nearly all of her belongings for this trip.
My attention was drawn to the never-ending “in and out” movements to retrieve a box or two from Mama’s room.
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“What do you need all of these bags for, Mama?” I was astonished and asked
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I know a month is a long time, but I was certain Mama didn’t need half of the items in the suitcases she’d packed.
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In response to my question, Mama said nothing. She pretended she hadn’t heard anything I’d said and just kept issuing commands, making sure nothing was left behind.
I remained silent until they were finished packing, and Mama turned to face me, announcing that they were ready to leave.
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We arrived home that day to find an overjoyed Tricia. Tricia had lavishly arranged the house for Mama’s arrival.
Tricia jumped into Mama’s arms in a hug the moment we arrived and everyone got out of the car. Mama squeezed her hands around Tricia in return.
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From where I stood, I smiled as these two very significant ladies in my life beamed as though they’d missed each other.
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The two women quickly became preoccupied with catching up. I had to walk inside, leaving them to walk behind me.
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During dinner that night, Mama thanked Tricia for graciously allowing her to drop by our house.
“I’m delighted you finally let me come over to your house, Tricia. May God bless you.”
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Tricia was taken aback by this “supposed” good remark.
Tricia gazed at me as if anticipating a “coded” sign of approval from me in reaction to what Mama had just stated, but she didn’t get one.
Instead, I shook my head slightly.
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That’s something Tricia and I do frequently. We have our own ways of communicating without saying anything in the midst of a throng.
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My mother is someone I am really familiar with. Tricia has also been playing catch-up over time.
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Mama has apparently devised a hypothesis. She’d concluded that Tricia was to blame for all of the times I’d turned down her requests for her to come over. She is officially here, so she assumes Tricia has at last given her the thumbs up.
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Mama is cunning, and her traps always appear to be innocuous until you actually fall into them. Only after that will you discover how far these traps are from being harmless.
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“I’m not sure what you’re thanking me for, Mama; all of these were Greg’s.” Tricia grinned as she reached across the table for the water jug.
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Mama was about to respond in reply to Tricia’s statement when I had to cut in to force a change of topic.
I recognize imminent danger when I see it, and this has all the hallmarks of a territorial signature.
To be continued…
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Moshood Avidiime The Writer
