Page 16 of Family Affair

Chapter 4

Picking ripe tomatoes from the vine, Coco marveled at her mother’s ability to transform their tiny concrete-paved patio into a beautiful container garden and a cozy gathering place.

“Honey, I think I’ve forgotten to buy batteries for my camera,” Lucy’s voice floated from the open door. “Hang it, I’ll have to run to the store after all. What time is it?”

Walking inside, Coco found Lucy fluttering around her large yellow suitcase that spewed out its contents in all directions. For sure, if her mother intended to become a seasoned traveler, she’d better develop a more efficient packing system.

“It’s almost seven. Don’t you think they sell batteries in India? Or you can always pick them up at the airport.”

“I'm afraid I'll get too distracted to remember.” Lucy’s flushed face disappeared behind an armful of clothes to be folded.

If Lucy managed to cram all these garments into the suitcase – a big if - the extra weight of her baggage would cost her as much as her ticket to Delhi.

Coco held her tongue, letting Lucy have her fun packing.

“Come on Chap, come with me to the kitchen. Mom needs her space to pack.”

For once, Chap complied and waddled behind on his short bowed legs. He had been sold to Lucy as a pedigreed Shih Tzu puppy, but never quite made it to the standards of any breed. A singularly ugly dog, he resembled a shapeless fur ball of indeterminate color on his best-hair day, had a bad case of lazy eye, was sickly, mean, and stubborn.

Lucy thought the sun rose and set on Chap.

Coco made a short work of the salad, took the salmon out of the oven, and uncorked the wine, all the while jumping hurdles over the dog laying in the middle of the kitchen.

Tonight they were celebrating Lucy’s upcoming departure for her first ever traveling adventure, a trip to India, a starting point to a new chapter in her life.

Coco put the food on the plates and took everything to the patio.

“Oh, the food’s ready? Coco, you are such a helper. I’m coming, just let me… have… it… closed.” Lucy bore down on the suitcase with all her weight, trying to make the zipper close around the lid.

“Mom, how about you take a break and we eat, and then I’ll help you sort some of your clothes out.”

“Why would I want to sort some of them out?” Lucy asked with suspicion.

“Because remember how much the airlines charge you for extra weight nowadays?”

Lucy deflated. “Oh, bother. I forgot all about that.”

On the patio, they clinked glasses.

“For you, Coco.”

“For me? No, for the trip. I wish you a wonderful time with friends in India. You deserve it.”

Lucy shook her head emphatically. “No, for you. If it weren’t for you, I would never, ever have gone anywhere, and well you know it.”

Lucy’s eyes gathered tears and one spilled down her round cheek, making Coco tear up, too.

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you too, honey.”

They hugged tightly, Lucy’s warm scent bringing a host of childhood memories for Coco. Her mother had been her world growing up, her only real family. She still was.

After her bitter divorce from Mike Milroy, Coco had ended up with a lump sum of money that she had used up to pay off this little house for her mother. Now, with no mortgage payments, Lucy was able to spend her modest librarian’s salary on travel.

They settled down to eat.

“The salmon’s especially good this time. You’ve outdone yourself, Coco.”