HIDING BEHIND THE SHADOWS

Chapter 3 - Mom's were Moms

I was awakened by the buzzing of my phone on the side table. It’s 7:45 am, I picked up my phone, checked the caller ID before I sat up the side of the bed.  “Hey John… what is it?”

“Dude! Where are you? your mom asked me to call you.  Remind you of your Dinner date with Kirsten tonight? Can you come home?” I felt the panicked in Johns voice.  Mom must have pushed him to be.

“Just stay out of it John” I answered.  “I can handle mom”

“Really? Are you sure she’s not gonna drag you back in here from wherever you are right now?”

“She’s not gonna do that John” I said “I won’t let her”

“What if I told you she asked your secretary to arrange a dinner with Ms Kirsten at Le Grand at 7:00 pm tonight. And she seems so sure you will be here buddy” says John. 

“What makes you say that?” I asked John “I know my mom John, she might be that persistent in getting me a wife but she never wins over me in this case because if she does then I would have been married by now” I said chuckling. 

“I called Stephen your butler just a few  minutes ago and he told me your mom left early to pick you up wherever you are dude” John said “She’s really into Kirsten you know and she’s not going to let you get away this time, Dude you better be ready” John said laughing on the other end

“What?” I asked surprised, I thought she just asked Nana to let me go home. I did not expect to pick me up this time, Aaron thought to himself “Thanks for the information John…I’m sorry I have to go now” I said in a hurry cutting off the call.

I made a quick shower and run downstairs in a white shirt and a sweat pants. I picked up my phone and put it in my pocket, my backpack and set off.  I know she’s coming over with a bunch of assistants to bring me back home. Hopefully not, thinking she still have control over Dad.

I was running down the stairs in a hurry to get out of the house to be sure I will not be here when mom came. Thoughts were rumbling in my mind.  It’s honestly disgusting felt like I am still a seventeen year old kid still afraid to have confrontation with her. But mom is mom. She will always be like that not unless I will settle down and give her what she wanted grandchildren. But still, I am not having a child with anyone. Not with anyone I never love. Except for Jessie….

“Aaron… why in so much hurry?” Nana shouted from the kitchen. I can smell breakfast is ready. The smell of bacon and egg is very much tempting but.. “Nana, mom’s on her way” I told Nana. 

“Son, have your breakfast first. Your mom will not be here yet. Not in the next in the next three hours. She called me up before she left asked me to convince you to come home, but I said No.” she explained. “So she decided to come and pick you up”

“But Nana, I am not seventeen anymore?” I said.

She shook her head “Mom’s were mom’s Aaron… no matter how old you are she still your mom”

“But Kirsten”…. Nana cut me off

“Eat your breakfast son…I packed your needs. Tools, foods, medicines and everything you need.  I called Harry to go with you in case forget your way to the cottage, he’s been there a couple of times. He will help you fix whatever is needed to fix the cottage. You can send him back once you’re settled” Harry lives in the neighborhood. He was a friend of mine and Jessie. But a lot younger than both of us, he was like 12 years old when he came to Sta. Barbara with her mom and He’s been helping Nana around since I left, he was a good kid. He lives alone with his mother.

Nana was active in our community, she was always there to lend a helping hand to those who need and Harry and his mother was one of the people Nana wanted to help.  She always felt good in helping others that’s why she is not afraid to live alone. She said many people were watching over her. 

It also makes my heart felt contented and happy for Nana.  She loves taking care of people. 

“Harry’s here… are you ready now?” asked Nana. “C’mon get up there and be quick, you know it won’t be long when your mother will be here

I stand up and pick up my keys. “Do you still have my garage empty Nana?”

She smiled and nodded “that’s where I kept the old truck, Harry been keeping it work just in case needed” she sighed “You take care of yourself son, the woods is not the same as it was before”

“I know Nana” I smiled and said “I’ll only be there for a couple of days or weeks I hope. Until mom will stop bragging me about nonsense”

“Okey, but maybe your mom is right anyway, you are not getting any younger son maybe all they wanted is for you to finally settle down” she said “have time to think about it okay?” she said

By that Harry and I took the truck and set off harboring the highway to the entrance of the woods, as cars can only be parked by the entrance.  The woods were considered as protected area, despite the growing technology, it was always left untouched and tried to be maintained as green as possible.

Many campers came into the campsite a few miles from the entrance during summer.  All cars will be left in the entrance to the woods and campers will walk a few miles enjoying the scenery and the fresh scent of the forest.  But still, it is a forest, the park patrol still considers the dangers in the site and campers will not be allowed to roam around the forest at night.