It was already past five in the evening and Melody was still busy with fixing dinner in the kitchen. Nadia who was the house keeper had begged her for the week off because she had plans to go on a ship cruise with her new lover and Melody had been more than happy to let her go. She was probably more excited about the trip than Nadia who was the one making the journey because that poor lady really needed a break from the loneliness and coldness of being a single middle aged woman; although the reality that all of Nadia's duties around the house including Maddie's welfare was beginning to dawn on her but at this point there was nothing she could do about that.
Just as the clock struck quarter to six, her phone rang and it was her mom calling her on facetime.
"Hi mom... how are you?" Mrs Miller smiled cheerfully as she always did when she was excited to say something or share an information with her child.
"Hmmmm... this one you're smiling like this, hope all is well?" Melody said smiling because she knew that look all too well. Her mom burst out laughing.
"That's because there's good news my darling. And by the way, as you can see I am doing very well. How are you and how is my sweet grand-daughter?"
"We are fine mommy, your grand-daughter is sleeping in her room at the moment. That's why I have a little breathing space to do some chores around the house. I was even in the kitchen trying to fix dinner when you called. That girl can make this house more busy than a bee hive and as much as I enjoy it, it's really exhausting mom." Melody replied smiling while her mother laughed at her complaints.
"When we tell you young ones that you will one day experience what it's like to be a parent, what were you expecting? My dear, being a parent could easily suck the life out of you but it is also the most fulfilling job on earth and if I had been given the privilege, I would have had more than children but fate had different plans for me and your dad." Melody took a deep breath and then it dawned on her that she had left her food on the stove. So she rushed to the kitchen; thankfully the food was not burning yet.
"Why are you the one making dinner by the way? Where is Nadia?" her mother asked. Melody smiled at the question.
"Nadia is not home mom, she went on vacation with her boyfriend yesterday." Mrs Miller laughed out loud.
"You mean to tell me old Nadia has a boyfriend? at that age?" She said admist the laughter.
"Well Mom, in this part of the world, age is not a barrier to love. Infact do you know that I attended a wedding just last weekend where the couple were both in their seventies?"
"Really? that must have been a crazy wedding." Mrs Miller said still laughing really hard.
"To be honest, that wedding is the most romantic wedding I have ever attended in my entire life. It was obvious that those two are really deeply in love with each other. The way you're laughing now, one would think you're in a comedy show. So what is the good news that you so much wanted to share with me? Melody asked ignoring her mother's laughter.
"Okay... you know our thirty years marriage anniversary is just around the corner? I mean your dad and I..." She paused after asking this question and Melody nodded in affirmation.
"Good! do you know that after several months of pleading with your father, he finally accepted that we can have an Anniversary party after a church service at the Cathedral?" Melody smiled at this piece of information because she was already aware of how much her mother love parties and of course this was another excuse to throw a party.
"Awwww.... that's so sweet and thoughtful of dad. I know it's been a while since you hosted a party and I'm sure that was what Dad considered because you dad hates parties? Melody was almost laughing now when she imagined what her dad would look like having to keep a smiling face while going round to greet the guests that shall grace the event.
"You should at least trust me that if I want anything and I mean it, I will surely get it. I made the house unbearable for him to the point where he had to surrender, if not your dad has been telling me no for several months now even when I volunteered to sponsor the party myself. I'm glad he eventually came around though."
"Well... I'm truly happy for you mom. I'm sure you two are going to have a great time at the party." Melody said as she walked over to the pot to check her pot of food on the stove and lifted it off the stove. Mrs Miller eyed her grudgingly for making that statement
"What is that supposed to mean? Wait, are you in any way saying that you won't be coming for your parents' Pearl Marriage Anniversary Party? The woman broke down in tears while Melody watched her in shock.
"Mom.. really? Are you seriously going to do this now? So tell me why you are crying now? Like what exactly happened that is making you cry?" but the woman kept crying without giving any answer. "Mom.. you know I have been really doing my best to heal from what happened 6 years ago... I don't think I am ready to step foot in that country, at least not anytime soon. So why are you making it look like I committed a terrible offence and your life is on the line for it?"
"Melody.. You are the only child I could have when your uncles and aunts were having several babies. Do you want your dad and I, especially your dad to be embarrassed by the others that our only child could not even turn up for our thirty years anniversary? If you are not there, what then will your dad and I have to show for thirty years in marriage?" Mrs Miller lamented.
"Mummy... mummy..." Both mother and daughter kept quiet, probably to be sure that it was Maddie's voice they had heard. The little girl came into the kitchen and Peppy followed her closely while wagging her tail in excitement.
"Heyyy... baby... you're awake. Did you have a good sleep?" Maddie nodded rubbing her sleeping eyes, Melody scooped her daughter off the ground and set her on her hip, supporting the girl with her arms wrapped around her while she held her phone with the other hand.
"Look Maddie, grandma is on facetime, say hello to grandma." Maddie looked at the screen of the phone and saw Mrs Miller smiling and waving at her, so she smiled and waved back at her grandmother. "Hello grandma..." the shy Maddie said and the excited grandmother responded with a cheerful "Hello my sweet grand-daughter. I hope mummy is taking good care of you?" and Maddie gave a nod of the head to indicate that she was well taken care of.
"Alright, I have to go now so I can get Maddie to eat and do her homework before it gets late. We'll continue this discussion later, if not tonight, then definitely tomorrow. I also have something really important to discuss with you."
"Okay dear... just give me a call as soon as you are free to talk but make it's as soon as possible. You know the date of our Anniversary is just around the corner?" Mrs Miller added and Melody nodded. "Yes mom, I know that. Help me tell dad I said hello."
They both said their goodbyes and ended the call.
"Alright Maddie, it's time for dinner. I'm sure you must be starving." Melody walked to the dinning table and set Maddie on one of the chairs while the drooling Peggy followed her around hoping to get her share of the delicacy that was about to be served.