Her Freedom

For the past two weeks.

I'd been trying to convince my mum, about mingling with people a bit more; attending camp meetings---for teenagers, seminars. for exposure and connections. But it seemed like, the more I gave her reasons why I wanted to go out, the more cranky and incomprehensible she was.

I was frustrated.

Did I make a mistake in the way I presented my proposal to her? Did I not say it right? Why does she like saying 'no' every time? I asked myself these questions, as I let my thoughts drive around in circles in my mind.

Just then, my phone rang.

I knew who it was; Aunt Liz, my mum's niece.

At the first moment, I didn't want to pick.

"What could she possibly want this time o," I muttered.

It was after three rings.

I finally picked.

I kept silent for a moment.

"Hello dear," she declared.

No doubt, her voice was rich and deep, and somehow it reminded me of smooth, dark chocolate. That was the only thing I loved about her, nothing else.

"How's school?" She added.

"It's going on well," I nodded my thanks.

"So," she declared, "how are things going?"

"Which things?" I asked cautiously.

"How are things going on the home front, for instance?"

"Is this a setup ma?" I asked. "Did my mom tell you to come to talk to me?"

"I think 'setup' is a little too harsh." Aunt Liz declared. "But, okay---she did mention you'd hit some rough spots."

"You can call them that," I muttered.

"Frightful," she declared.

"What else did she tell you?"

"What would you tell me, if you were here?"

It was a trick question. What was she getting at? "Well," I declared, " I'd probably say I'm worried and scared."

"She did," Aunt Liz agreed. "And I guess that drives you bonkers."

"She's overprotective, she doesn't let me breathe a second!" I demanded.