I AM NOT MILES AWAY

Mrs. Grater travels to her hometown every year for her late husband's memorial. Her only child lives in Japan with her Japanese husband. She'd return yearly for her father's memorial but not this year. Granny looked sad when she told me during our little chat in the kitchen about her daughter's inability to attend the memorial.

She began her preparation at the surface of July. She would be leaving by month end or at the rise of August, her choice. She doesn't need permission like other employees to leave duty. Everyone in the family has given the month of August to her privacy and today, the 25th of July, she set to leave.

As always, she would cook a whole food of August and preserve it in the refrigerator for us. Mum has told her how unnecessary it is to go through all that trouble.

We have other housekeepers to do that when she is away. She threw Mum's words in the bin again and made food for the family herself. She'd say other housekeepers can cook for themselves and other employees, and that she would feed her family, us, by herself.

Little does she know that the food she always makes before traveling is eaten by us and everyone in the mansion within three days for Mum prefers unrefrigerated meals the most. It is healthier, she said.

From the first of July to yesterday, she made me promise endless times never to skip a meal. It is not new, no matter how heavy I eat in her absence, she will scream down everyone's brain on her return for watching me get so skinny. I only promised to get her off my neck for it won't make a difference if I keep it or not.

I will miss her.

I know I would. So last night, I decided to wake with my bags ready to follow her home too. It is holiday after all. I have never traveled days out of my home, Granny is not a stranger. It is like going home too. Adding that her daughter won't be with her, I will have to keep her company.

I packed everything I believe I will be needing for my first-time vacation including my camera.

Mum gifted me this camera just three months ago, on my birthday. I know about cameras, and this cost a fortune. I hugged her out of the blue in front of every household that evening.

It surprised not just her, but everyone especially James who believed throwing hugs is only meant for him. I have wanted to own this camera but buried the want after I googled about it. It is expensive.

James or Rose could have gotten that a long time ago, requesting expensive things is as easy as saying 'hello' to them. I do not know why it is hard for me to recognize how rich my family is.

Mum isn't the only one who gifted me, though hers was most appreciated.

James gave me a wrapped lubricant gel with the caption..... 'for a smooth ride into your new age'

James is a pupa.

Rose bought me a bouquet as she does every year but with a caption other than 'happy birthday.' This time, she wrote 'may your new age attract more beautiful things than this flower.'

She is grown.

Dad sent in his gift too. He bought me a car. It was foreseen. He bought James' first car on his sixteenth birthday. When everyone knew it will be the gift year. I have no need for it anyways but what can I do, it is down there in the underground garage.

Granny knitted a soft sweatshirt for me. And this birthday gift is what I am wearing to her hometown tomorrow.

"Grand entrance!" James' voice alerted everyone towards me as I walked into the living room, with my sweatshirt suited on my body. I doubt if Granny has ever made any for James, so please, I deserve some entourage as well.

It is Sunday, it is expected to see every member of the family this morning, including Dad. He will be off soon so as a mum. I haven't joined such a Sunday morning gathering before. Coming in with Granny's gift on me seems like a grand entrance indeed.

"Good morning, Dad, Mum."

"Good morning, Greg." Dad acknowledged with his face fixed on a newspaper. I think my dad is the only man who still read newspapers.

"Here, have some breakfast Gregory." Mum dropped a plate of scrambled eggs before me as I take my seat at the dining table.

"Thank you."

"Don't you think it looks weird having Greg on the table with us?" Rose whispered over to James but making sure we all heard it.

"Not only weird but distracting. He is getting the whole attention." James said while looking over to Mum who is dropping some oatmeal in my bowl.

"Here, more for you Jameson, and stop whining." Mum consoled the childish Jameson as she placed a spoonful of oatmeal into his bowl.

I was halfway into my meal when Dad decided it is a good time to hold a discussion.

"Greg, when do you intend to begin your photography lesson?"

Dad who has dropped his newspaper somewhere has had it taken away by Ms. Joy, one of the housekeepers.

It is two months school break. Dad had thought I wanted to study photography after my highschool. I love it, but I do not think it is worth my four years at the university.

I will study Business Administration and have photography as a special class as I planned to resume this school break. I am to start in August as I told Dad when he asked a few days after my exams.

"I have other plans."

"Other plans?" Mum asked impatiently.