Dinner was simple but delicious, even without using MSG since the latter was banned from the house even before his birth.
What made Lucas appreciate it even more was that this was one of the rare few of his mother's cooking he would be able to eat for the coming period, whether counted in months, years or decades.
But it did not really make him sad because even without the threat of death, he would have taken the opportunity to get out of his boring life to pursue the interesting. He might die along the way but it wouldn't matter. What he didn't like was pain. Death was the destination of everyone and everything, he just hoped that his would be fast and efficient when its time would come.
After they were done eating, he was helping his mother with the cleaning when she asked:
"So, what kind of job did you accept Lucas?"
"Let's just say that I'm being asked to be a consultant of a low-key organization that studies some science subjects."
"And are they legal? I don't want any of my sons to take the wrong path in life. You know it is the kind of thing that can destroy a person and his prospects in life."
"I know, ma. You don't have to worry, it is not illegal. They study things like the shackles of life. Like why can't we jump higher, punch stronger, live longer and so on. And it's about more than just humans. They found that I have a good physique through my file for the special forces preliminary tryouts so after my last mission they called me. I even got a bonus after the tests so I will take care of something for you guys then I will be more at ease when I go."
"Isn't that like those things we saw in movies where they use people in laboratories?" She asked, abruptly stopping what she was doing.
"Of course not. I'm trained and through a scientific and harmless method they are developing, I will push myself to the limit and give them feedback while advising on possible ways to do better and also on their security."
She looked at me with skeptical eyes for a moment then nodded:
"Alright I'll trust you, but don't think that just because I'm uneducated means that I don't know anything or that I'm stupid. Even if that was the case, I've had you in my stomach for nine months so I know you better than yourself."
Resuming what she was doing, she continued:
"So, what are those things you will do before leaving, son?"
Sighing in relief as she let go after he fed his mother that lie so as not to worry her, Lucas gave an answer to the new question:
"I want to get a new house for you guys so that you can this damned one to those ungrateful greedy pigs-"
"Don't talk about your elders like that Lucas. What did I teach you growing up?"
"I know, I'm just angry at them. But don't worry, you know how indifferent I am most of the time. They are not relevant enough for me to go out of my way to even greet them, much less insult them or do something else."
"That better be the case. As for the house, don't buy it if it will trouble you. You father and I are already old so we don't mind staying here. Just a few more years of hard work and we will be dead. The future is for you youngsters so take care of yourself first."
Smiling sadly at how used to suffering his mother was, Lucas persuaded:
"Don't worry, mom. The bonus I got is in foreign currency and once converted in the monkey currency forced on us in west Africa, it is enough to provide you with some comfort and still leave me with a large part. Just enjoy it, alright? You deserve some rest after all those years of toiling."
"Lucas-"
Seeing as she was still reluctant as if she was slowing me down and preventing me from succeeding, I cut her off:
"If you keep refusing, how can I help Patrick with his start-up then?"
"Sigh... Don't be extravagant, okay?"
Seeing her relent after a little blackmail, Lucas was finally relieved. Putting the last dish in its place after washing it, he dry his hands and said:
"I'm done, mom. I have things to say to Patrick so we will be in his room."
"Alright, go if you have things to do. Will you stay for the night?"
"I would have loved to stay with you guys but I'm supposed to be dead so I must stay outside."
"WHAT!!!"
"Chill, mom, chill. It's just that the research is precious so everything is discreet and low-key, if not too many greedy people would put us in danger."
"Take care of yourself, okay, son?" His mother said worriedly after taking a breath.
He gave her a reassuring smile hiding his excitation at the coming journey and his anxiety at the unknown he would be swimming in:
"Of course, mom. Don't worry, I've got this. I will let you take your grandchildren in your arms and for that I will stay safe and sound."
This made her smile a little:
"Alright, I'll hold your words on that."
Turning to see Patrick on the side that has been listening to us since the beginning without any input of his own, to the joy of Lucas who had defused his situation, she made him dumbfounded at taking a bullet while lying down when she lost her smile and scolded semi-seriously:
"And you, when are you giving me grandchildren to hold? You are having your thirtieth birthday this year, when are you finding a woman to start a family? Even if I know you will always come back to make me cook for you, I want you to make your own place and find someone to grow old with. I don't want to be too weak to bath my grandchildren when you finally decide to start working on making them. Are we clear?"