Chapter 5 — Questions
529 Words
By the time Elena got home that evening, the sun was already beginning to set.
She opened the front door and immediately smelled dinner.
“Mom?”
“In the kitchen.”
Elena dropped her bag on the sofa and walked toward the kitchen.
“What are you cooking?”
Rebecca glanced over her shoulder.
“Your favorite.”
Elena smiled.
“You knew I was coming home hungry.”
“I know you.”
Elena walked over and hugged her from behind.
Rebecca laughed.
“Go and wash your hands.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Elena washed her hands and returned to the kitchen.
She picked up a piece of vegetable from the chopping board.
Rebecca gently slapped her hand.
“Don't touch that.”
“I was helping.”
“You were eating.”
“Same thing.”
Rebecca laughed.
For a while, they worked together quietly.
Elena told her about the project, about Mia's excitement, Sophia's research, and all the stories they had already found.
Rebecca listened.
But when Elena mentioned the old mountain communities, she became quiet.
“You really want to go?”
Elena looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because it's interesting.”
Rebecca nodded slowly.
“You've always liked stories.”
“Especially stories that people can't explain.”
Rebecca looked at her.
Elena noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You keep saying that.”
Rebecca smiled.
“Because sometimes there really is nothing.”
Elena wasn't completely convinced.
She leaned against the counter.
“Mom, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Have you ever been to Valeria?”
Rebecca's hand stopped.
The kitchen suddenly felt quieter.
Elena watched her carefully.
“Yes,” Rebecca finally said.
Elena's eyes widened.
“You have?”
“A long time ago.”
“When?”
“Before you were born.”
Elena waited.
She expected her mother to continue.
She didn't.
“What were you doing there?”
Rebecca turned back to the food.
“Just travelling.”
“By yourself?”
Rebecca smiled faintly.
“You ask too many questions.”
“You're the one who said I should ask questions when I don't understand something.”
“I did.”
“So?”
Rebecca sighed.
“It was a long time ago, Elena. There's nothing important about it.”
Elena wasn't satisfied with the answer.
But she could tell her mother didn't want to continue.
So she let it go.
For now.
She reached for another piece of vegetable.
Rebecca moved the chopping board away from her.
“Go and set the table.”
Elena laughed.
“Yes, ma'am.”
As she walked away, she glanced back at her mother.
Rebecca was staring out through the kitchen window.
For a moment, she looked lost in thought.
Then she noticed Elena watching her and quickly turned back to the food.
Elena said nothing.
She simply continued setting the table.
She had no idea why the mention of Valeria made her mother uncomfortable.
But she was beginning to wonder.
Maybe there was more to her mother's past than Elena had ever been told.
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