Chapter 2: OA

OA drove home after dropping off Maggie at her place. To say that their last conversation ended up a disaster was an understatement.

He just wanted to help out his partner adjust to her new current situation and deal with her grief. His thoughts distracted him while he opened the door to his apartment. He already hung his coat and placed his bag on the kitchen counter before he noticed something, rather, someone.

He was so surprised that he blurted out, "Mom!"

"Omar, you scared me!" The woman placed her hand on her chest.

"You scared me! What are you doing here?"

His mom made a disapproving sound. "Is that the way you talk to your mother? Is that the way I raised you?"

He looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, mom. It's just that I didn't know you were going to visit." He narrowed his eyes. "Wait a minute, how did you get in?"

"Amira let me borrow her key, of course." She stepped closer to take a good look at OA. "Can't I visit my own son? I haven't seen you in so long."

"Amira has a copy of my key?!" He took a calming breath, he'd have to deal with that information later. "I'm sorry, I'm just so busy."

His mom waved her hand dismissively. "I know, I know. Which is why I'm visiting you instead." She looked up at her tall son. "It seems like something's bothering you? What's wrong?"

OA quirked his lips. He should have known that his mom would notice. "How do you do that? How do you always know?"

She shrugged. "Because I'm your mother. Just one look and I know when you're sad or when you're up to something." Her son laughed. "Ah, but first, let me make us some tea." She was already in the kitchen before OA could protest. Watching his mom move around in the kitchen reminded him of his childhood.

After pouring tea into two cups, she gave one to him and picked up the other. She led him to the couch. "Now that we're comfortable, tell me, what is it?"

He took a sip first, letting the warm liquid give him courage. "It's about Maggie."

It was almost comical the way his mom's eyes went wide before she squealed, "Finally, you realized it!"

OA was confused. "What? What are you talking about?"

"You and Maggie."

"Mom, we're not dating." He couldn't really blame his mom for not knowing about his current relationship status. "I'm actually dating someone else. Her name's Gemma."

The matriarch crossed her arms. "You haven't even introduced her to me. How long have you been dating?"

"More than a month." At his mother's offended expression, he felt contrite. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you sooner."

His mother relented. "So, you two are getting along well?"

OA clasped his hands in front of him before answering. "We had discussions about my job and her lifestyle but we're working things out."

She knew from his demeanor that her son wasn't going to go into details. She wanted to help her son but she also acknowledges that he is now adult and would want to have his privacy. "Alright, if you're sure that everything's fine with you and Gemma, then what is it that you worry about your partner?"

He sighed. "We had an argument. I wanted to help her but she thought I'm saying that she couldn't handle it herself. But I can see that she's struggling."

"Okay," said his mom, slightly annoyed at the lack of specifics. Still, she tried to advise. "Sometimes, people wouldn't want to admit that they need help. But all you can really do is be there for them. Because everyone would need someone to turn to, even someone as strong as Maggie." She reached out to hold his son's hands.

"Thank you, mom," he said with a grateful smile.

She patted his hands and got up. "Now, let me cook us some dinner."

"Mom, it's fine, we could have some leftover chicken wings from last night." He followed her to the kitchen.

His mom rolled her eyes. "You should visit me more often so you could have homemade meals."

After dinner, his mom was putting away the dishes when OA received a text message. I'm sorry about earlier.

"Judging from your smile, I'm guessing that the text was from Maggie."

"Mom!"

His mom's boisterous laugh was heard as she walked towards the door. OA went after her. They said their goodbyes with hugs and his mom saying, "Take care of yourself, my son."

"You too, mom."

Notes:

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