Chapter 28

"Walking back from our mission, I overheard mom and Aunt Etil talk." I said.

"Hmm?" Jarren groaned.

"Aunt Etil said Mom should distract herself from grief."

"Well, yeah she does need that. I noticed mom's cooking going really bland and...dude, she's not reading books!"

I dropped my soapy hands on the cloudy dish water. The splash hit my already soaked shirt. I sighed.

"Drop something?" asked Jarren.

I shook my head, "I feel bad, it feels like it's my fault. Was it?"

"To be frank with you, it is somewhat your fault..." Jarren almost bit his tongue.

I just looked at him, waiting for him to say more. Maybe some kind of confirmation or whatever...

"You see, you never told mom that you were planning on becoming an Expander. But you know, that's beside the point. The real thing that bothers mom is that Grandma just passed away not so long ago. And then there you are becoming 22 only to be killed at anytime." he shrugged.

I sighed, "Do you think we can help her? Anything we can do?"

Again, Jarren shrugged.

I went to bed after I brushed my teeth. I lied on my back. Going down memory lane, searching for answers from the stories I've heard. Things to distract her from grieving... probably something she loves...What does she love??

Grandma, she's gone...

Books, she lost interest in them...

Jarren and I, hmm...

Cats, there's barely any around that ain't a zombie...

Friends, don't think they're the answer...

Guy she likes, maybe?

That's when my eyes shot open. I remember that 'handsome' lad Aunt Angel told me about. Maybe...just maybe he can help distract mom!

I picked up my phone, scrolled up for phone numbers. I was looking for Aunt Angel's number. I then pressed call. By the second ring, she picked-up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Aunt Angel?"

"Oh hey Nigel, how's it going? How's your mom?"

"Not so fine..."

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"So why you called?"

"Did you know Mom's highschool crush's phone number?"

"You mean Chris'?"

"Yeah, that guy."

"No, why?"

"Can you get it for me?"

"Uhh...why?"

"I just need to talk to him, please?"

"Uhh, sure. When do you need it?"

"ASAP."

"Uhh...ok...no promises though."

"Alright."

"Mhm, anything else?"

"Nope, that's all. Thank you, good night! Ba-bye!"

"Haha, ok good night. Bye!"

After our short call, I went to sleep. I woke up the next day with the sound of my alarm. I did my usual routine in the morning. In the work field, I did my duties without fail and followed every order from mom without question. But by 2pm, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Until it's the end of my shift, I ignored my phone. After 3pm was the only time I checked my phone. There was a missed call from an unnamed number. The caller also left a text saying, 'Hi, I'm Chris Courel. I was told to call you.' My eyes widened and the edges of my mouth curved up. I replied to him, introducing myself.

"Hi, I'm Nigel Ogram, thanks for reaching up to me."

Chris replied to my text after an hour and that's where we started talking.

"Ogram?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm Pheene Ogram's adopted son."

"I see, why did you need to talk to me?"

"I need to ask you a favour."

"Hmm, what kind?"

"Date my mom."

He didn't reply for a while.

"No," he replied.

"Please? She needs some kind of distraction..."

"I'm sorry to disappoint but I don't like her."

"But you owe her your life! She saved you before!"

Again, it took him almost 10mins before replying.

"Fine, I'll do it but on one condition."

"What?"

"Credits."

I almost wanted to throw my phone to the wall out of disgust. This guy is despicable, I can't believe mom used to like this kind of guy! But then...I want my mom to no longer griev. I thought this one through, I earn a huge sum with my new job.

"How much do you want?" I almost didn't want to send.

"5 credits a week."

I can earn that in a day.

"Deal."

"So how do I woo her?"

"Come here in Teresa Shelter."

"Woah, that's far. Let's make it 10 credits on the first week. I have to take care of transfer papers to get there."

"I don't care, just come here and date my mom. And once you do, never mention to her our deal. She'll kill me."

"Sure, no problem."

I put my phone away, I'll put up with this until mom is over with her grieving. I hope this works.

One week of staying here in Teresa, I noticed a change in her behaviour. She's less grumpy and looking a lot calm. Still not smiling though, just as if her mood just lifted a bit. Her cooking is starting to gain a teeny-tiny-bit flavour but still bland. The ambiance in the house is becoming less gloomy. Mom's starting to heal. And as for Chris, his relocation process is still waiting to be approved. I'm starting to think of calling off my deal with Chris. There might be no need for him anymore. But then again, his request for transfer of shelter is already in process.

In the middle of the week, Chris sent me a text that his request has been approved. He told me that he'll be traveling by tomorrow and work the same job he already has. He then asked me where our temporary living quarters are. I gulped at this because there's no turning back. I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. If things went on smoothly, there's nothing to worry. I then texted him of our temporary address. My hands were cold and shaky when I typed. I kept misspelling words but I still managed to send him a reply. One more thing, I already owe him 10 credits by the end of this week. Ugh!

Today, I got up from bed. I had trouble sleeping last night. Today's the day Chris is coming here in Teresa. I'm so nervous, my mind is buzzing with thoughts and scenarios. I'm worried that if Chris mess up then I'm so dead to mom.

Mom then knocked at our door before opening it and stepping in. She flips the switch and woke us up.

"Wake up big babies!! I made waffles!!" Mom sounded so enthusiastic.

Wait a minute, waffles? We don't have the thing to make waffles...How??

I waited a little bit. When mom came in our room to wake us up I pretend to be still asleep. Jarren however just groaned, turns to face the wall, and grind his teeth. I felt him move by the sound of sheets shifting and because were sleeping on a double deck. I'm at the bottom while he's at the top. When we first came here, he demanded to sleep on the top bed. I allowed him since I don't mind sleeping below and simply because he's younger.

"Come on, get up!! I'll topple this bed if you two don't."

I slowly got up and act as if I'm groggy even though I've been awake for hours. After me, Jarren slowly got up too. I saw his feet dangle down. Mom then left the room, satisfied that we're both awake.

I then got up on my feet. I stretched like normally do in mornings. After stretching, I head out of our room and sit by the dining table. There were indeed waffles.

"I lied, I didn't made waffles. Larn did but he made a lil too much." Mom laughed to herself.

This was new, her laughing like that. I can't help but smile and let out a faint chuckle.

Jarren then came out of the bathroom and sat next to me. Like always, his head fails to stay up and thumps on the table. Mom then put down two cups of newly brewed coffee. It smelled good yet strong. She then perks her hip on the side and leans her hands on her hips.

"Jarren," mom called.

"Morning, mom."

Jarren finally sat up but his head still bobbed back before properly sitting. Mom sits down to eat alongside us when Jarren comments on her mood.

"You're glowing mom, what's up?"

Mom looks up at us and smiled, "Oh it's nothing, go on, eat up."

We then ate our breakfast. The coffee was new to me, it was bitter and strong. Mom passed us the sugar and creamer.

"That ain't instant coffee by the way. That's coffee grounds 'Kapeng Barako' of Batangas. I got it yesterday from field work."

I do remember seeing mom grabbing something from the grocery shelves and putting in her pocket. I do this too when I find something I like or interesting when on field. They told me about it, not everything has to be scavenged by gatherers. Sometimes, finder's keepers. One of the perks of being an OW.