"Wasn't grandma hating on his family? Why would she want to meet him?"
"I know, honey... But she is very confused. I...I don't know! She is not eating. I was trying to make her eat the whole night but she didn't. She has started a protest saying she won't eat before seeing you three. I… Please, come here, Rory. I am worried…"
"But…he… he's busy!" Rory found an appropriate excuse.
"Talk to him, Rory," the soft voice of the elder interjected her. "I don't think there is much time left for her…"
There was a sniff before Mrs. Delport continued.
"He's a good boy and he will not let you travel alone. He would be here in a couple of weeks for his cousin's wedding anyway. Why don't you convince him to arrive a bit earlier?"
Rory rubbed her forehead. She didn't know what to do. She does not like her grandmother much, but she cannot ignore her when she is ill.
"I'll see what I can do, Mrs. Delport. I'll bring Ellie, but I am not sure about him," she made her stance clear.
She didn't think he would agree to meet her grandmother. He wasn't even present for Ellie's birth and he is not supporting the baby in any way. She has lost all hope in him.
Mrs. Delport was not very pleased and tried to convince her more to bring him. Rory's excuses all were annoying for Mrs. Delport.
"Just visit her, Rory, please… And bring him with you."
Mrs. Delport ended the call.
Rory let out a sigh leaning on the wall. She looked at the window and the gentle tapping of the raindrops on the window was not as melodious as before.
Her heart filled with confusion. Her slender fingers held the key-shaped pendant of her necklace and started playing with it as she wondered what she should do.
"Rory?"
The gentle hand on her shoulder brought Rory out of her reverie.
"Not a good call?" Mia asked. She noticed Rory twisting her necklace. She does that whenever she is anxious.
"Yeah," Rory let out a sigh. "Grandma is sick. I have to…" Rory walked to the table and sat. The rims of her eyes got red and she rubbed her temples.
"Oh, dear! She was sick for a long time, wasn't she?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, and now she is sicker," Rory sighed.
"Tell me what you need, alright, Rory? I am here for you," Mia rubbed her back. "If… Are you going to visit her?"
"I don't know. I mean, I should, right?" Rory bit her lips.
Mia nodded and patted her hand as she didn't know what else to say. She knew her relationship with her grandmother is not so great. Plus the café needs her help. But she should make this visit.
Both of them sat in silence for a while.
"Ah, screw this!" Mia ran to the pantry.
Rory was surprised by Mia's sudden shout and she walked to the carrycot to check on the baby.
The baby was still sleeping. A sigh escaped from her mouth.
"Ta-da!"
Pressing a wine bottle to her cheek, Mia smiled brightly. "Let's celebrate Lia's fourth month birthday!"
"Aww, you remembered!" Rory hugged her. She could see that Mia is trying to shift her thoughts to Ellie. And thinking about Ellie did reduce her headache.
"Yeah, of course! It's tomorrow, right?" Mia patted her back.
"Yes, it's tomorrow... Mia, thank you for being such a good friend!" Rory said it from her heart.
"Bleh," Mia stuck out her tongue and waved the bottle in front of her face. "Let's!"
Rory smiled. "Ooh, where did that bottle come from? It looks expensive!"
"Expensive?" Mia shrugged. Her brown eyes swirled as if a thought passed through her mind. Wetting her lips, she continued, "Some rich... Someone gifted the cops and they gave it to us since they cannot accept gifts," Mia pulled a chair for Rory.
Rory walked to the chair. Ellie was fed an hour ago and she won't wake up for another three hours. She wondered if she can have a little wine. She was not very keen on drinking.
But seeing the label she changed her mind.
She loved Barbaresco wine. It has been a while since she has tasted this fine Italian wine made with Nebbiolo grapes.
"Just a glass," Rory smiled as she got the glass from Mia's hand. Mia carefully opened the bottle and poured her a glass.
"By the way, they thanked us for the coffee and donuts," Mia said. "Officer Mercer called us 'Robin's Angels'." Rory laughed and her cheeks blushed a bit.
"That's good," Rory took a sip of wine and let it swirl in her mouth to savor it.
Theirs is just a small café in the inner suburb of the city. It has a double bedroom apartment on the second floor where they stay. The café and the apartment belong to Mia as it is her dream to own a café. Mia had used her inheritance to start this cafe. But her finances were not so good as she couldn't manage the café anymore. Mia was about to close shop when Rory offered her investment.
And thus, for almost a year, they are running this café together.
They are in the not-so-good spot of the city. Although the police station is nearby, the crime rate is pretty high. But rent in this area is very cheap. Plus there are various garment factories lined up on this street. The workers in the garments factory make the majority of their patrons.
At times, it would turn a little rowdy in the streets and get scary. It is fairly unsafe for two women to stay alone in this place.
So, they have formed a symbiotic friendship with the cops. They supply their leftovers and offer them free coffees and discounts, and in return, the cops have a watchful eye over them.
"It tastes nice…" Mia said, swirling the glass. She didn't hold back her intake.
Rory didn't fail to notice the small blush forming on Mia's lush cheeks as she looked into the glass. A small smile was hanging by the corner of Mia's lips which she tried to control. Her long lashes flickered as she looked in the direction of the police station.
"Officer Hendricks does have a very good taste in wine. He has spent a lot for a gift…" Rory's lips curved to a teasing smile.
As if some cop gave them this expensive wine for no reason!
Rory knew Officer Hendricks must have been the one who gave Mia the wine. He's trying to woo Mia for some time. And Mia is certainly interested in that broad-shouldered, brown-eyed hunk of a cop.
Mia almost spilled the wine at the mention of his name. With her eyes wide, and cheeks blushed more to a crimson shade, she put up her failing defense. "What are you-" she emptied the glass and poured some more. "Rory, you! I told you… It's for us both…a cop…um… Officer~"
"Uh-huh…" Rory nodded stifling her laughter. "I totally believe you."
"Rory!" Mia raised her voice but Rory waved her hand pointing at the baby to keep it down.
Mia had to oblige. She loved that little munchkin too. But she couldn't accept this failure.
"What about you, huh?" Mia raised her brows. "Tell me about him, Rory. You never talk about your baby daddy. Pretty please…" she pleaded.
Mia knows Rory since the June of last year. Rory was pregnant then, but she never talks about the baby's father. She never tried to pry till then, but she let her curiosity get the best of her this day.
Rory's hands holding the glass jerked as the bright image of "him" popped into her memory. She never had to try hard to remember him anyway.
Hate is a strong feeling. And when intense love turns to hate… It's not just hate.
It is something…complicated.
That is the feeling she has towards him. He was her best friend – "was" being the operative word.
And now he is her ex-husband.