Staring at the golden potato wedges, I was too full to eat anymore, but it brought back my childhood memories.
The land in R Province was cultivable. Every year during spring, Grandma planted two acres of maize. From soil preparation to sowing to manuring to irrigation, I had to be there to give her a hand. On our way back, we dug up some potatoes to make potato wedges.
Sometimes, we roasted them over the fire. When they were cooked, the dark, burnt skin was peeled and the golden potatoes smelled appetizing. With Grandma’s homemade sauce, they were the most delicious food I had ever eaten.
At that time, she often wiped the ashes on the tip of my nose and laughed. “When Letty gets married, I’ll help you take care of your baby and feed the little one roasted potato as well.”
My eyes misted over in reminiscence. A passer-by saw tears trickle down my cheeks. He handed me a packet of tissue and consoled me out of sympathy.
“Hey, I don’t know what you’re going through. But you’re still young and have plenty of time ahead of you. No matter what problem you’re facing, hang on and don’t give up. Eventually, it’ll pass. Cry it out, then start again.”
Taking the tissue from him, I nodded gratefully. With a faint smile, I gave him the potatoes wedges in return. “Thank you.”
After pulling myself together, I ambled along the street instead of hailing a cab.
Suddenly, my phone rang with a call from Ashton. “Shall we eat lunch together?”
Glancing up at the sky, I actually felt that the weather in K City was getting warmer. Lifting my hand to shield my eyes from the dazzling sunlight, I stared at the leaves on a tree blankly.
“I’m going to visit Aunt Sally.”
Pausing briefly, he said, “Flora told me that you didn’t drive when you left the house. Be careful as you move about.”
“Okay,” I replied while nodding my head before hanging up.
It was past noon. I hailed a cab and headed South.
Sally’s house wasn’t too far away. When I walked into the yard, she was about to have her lunch.
The woman was surprised when she saw me. “Lucky you! You’re here just in time for lunch.”
With that said, she stood up and took another set of utensils for me.
“Let’s eat together,” she looked at me and said.
I grinned at her and sat at the table. “Mmm… It looks yummy.”
After lunch, Sally wanted to take a walk, so she took me and strolled around the house.
There were many people in her neighborhood. A young lady was holding her baby under the sun. She was grinning from ear to ear while playing with the baby.
A moment later, the young lady went away. Holding my hand, Sally said expectantly, “Ashton and you need to buck up and have another baby. I’m not working now, so I can’t wait to look after your baby.”
She paused for a second and glanced at me in contemplation. “Both Ashton and you are good-looking. I’m sure your baby will be beautiful and even more adorable than Ashton when he was young.”
She chuckled while letting her imagination run wild.
I plastered on a smile, but my heart felt heavy.
After we went back to her house, Sally took some clothes to the backyard, and I trailed behind her.
When I saw her washing her clothes with her hands, I squatted and helped her out.
The woman tried to stop me a few times, but she gave up as I went on washing the clothes. Letting out a sigh, she explained, “These are branded clothes, so I’ve to hand-wash or send them for dry cleaning. But the laundry shop is too far from here, so I wash them myself since I’m free now.”
I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. “If it’s inconvenient for you to stay alone, why don’t you move in with us? Our place has more than enough rooms. It’ll be livelier if you’re there.”
She chuckled. “Have another baby, and I’ll come over to take care of the baby.”
I didn’t utter a word, so Sally thought I was shy and stopped talking about it. Standing up, she went into the house, brought a stool, and put it behind me.
“Ashton said that you often have backaches after the miscarriage. I’ve never given birth before, so I’m robust enough to handle this. Take a seat. Stop washing them if you’re feeling unwell.”
Initially, I wanted to decline, but I gave in to her insistence.
When we had finished washing the clothes, we sat in the yard with some fruits on the table. Pouring me a glass of water, she said solemnly, “Don’t be shy. You’re a mother now. As for Ashton’s and your baby, I’ve even thought of a few boy’s and girl’s names. When the time comes, I’ll list them out for your reference.”
The water in the glass tasted bitter all of a sudden. I swallowed it, and the bitterness lingered in my throat.
After chatting for a while, I wanted to make a move. Before I leave, she reminded me with concern, “Have a safe journey. Text me when you’re home.”
I turned my head around and nodded at her. Perhaps I should make time to see Cameron. No matter how much resentment I felt toward her, she was still my biological mother.
Sally stood at the doorway and sent me off with a smile. For some inexplicable reason, a wave of sorrow welled up in my heart. Walking over, I wrapped my arms around her. “Ashton and I are not by your side every day, so please take good care of yourself.”
She let out a hearty laugh. “Honey, why are you so sentimental all of a sudden? You can come over whenever you want.”
I put on a smile and said in a gentle voice, “I know that in your eyes, Ashton shouldn’t be with an ordinary woman like me. Though you’re not happy with me, you still care about us a lot. You’re not his biological mom, but you have him on your mind all the time. In fact, you’re really amazing.”
