Thirteen

"Mom, haven't you cooked another dish? " he asked.
"No, son." Mother replied.

"Don’t mind me, Zander. I eat whatever is on the table. I am not picky about food. I'm used to eating simple, home-cooked food." Don Augusto said.
He did not say a word but continued to eat. Don Augusto caught his attention by sneezing.

"Zander, can I invite your mother outside? We won't last any longer outside," he said.

He looked at his mother and she just remained bent over and continued to eat. He is not numb so as not to feel that Don Augusto has a different motive for coming here to the house. He knows it because he is also a man.

"I don't have a problem. Ask mom if she will agree," he replied.

"Your mother agreed. You are the last person I ask, but since you agreed, thank you." Don Augusto said.



Then Zander saw a glimpse of love in this man’s eyes as he looked at his mother, while his mother just kept on eating. Melissa did the same as if no one knew what was going on. What is expected of a child at this age? She can only eat the food she wants to be happy in life. We also finished eating, and his mother put away the dishes. He is in the living room now and will sit down to digest what he ate. Don Agusto stood beside him.



"How is a teacher's life?" he asked.



"It's okay. It's tiring, but it's fun." Zander replied.



"Good then."



"Do you have a girlfriend?" he asked me out of nowhere.
He laughed.



"I was courting someone, but sadly I don't have a chance so I stop?" he replied.



Don Agusto laughed.



"Why? What is the reason?"

"I do not know."

Don Augusto tapped his shoulder.



"Don’t lose hope. A handsome man like you can see something beautiful. The world is round." He told him.



Zander knew he was taking his heart. But he thinks this man is kind and easy to get along with.

"By the way, I’m here to court your mother. She is hesitant because she is worried about you," Don Augusto said eventually.



"There's nothing wrong about it. I'm always okay when it comes to my mother's happiness," he said.



Don laughed.

"I like your attitude. We can get along easily."
He just nodded.



"Will you let me court your mom?" he asked.



"I have no problem. Sir, my mother will decide. "



"All right, thank you."

And his mother came out beautiful. It was as if she had returned to her adult days. And she put on lipstick that matched the dress she was wearing. She nodded at him.



"Take good care of your sister, Zander." She said.



"I'll take care of Melissa, Mom," he replied.



His mother has left, but he was still in the living room. He thinks maybe it’s happier when he has a girlfriend. There's nothing wrong with him courting Mitch; they are both single. The pain in her back from driving. Elodie is here now in the living room. And the girls were already asleep. Drowsiness does not visit her. Now she just thinks that her life was very sad. It's a good thing there are nine of them here with her. She tried to call Mitch so she could talk to someone today. In two rings, she answered.



"Hello. Elodie. How are you? " she asked.



"When are you coming to visit me in the city?" Elodie asked.



"My life is still very busy. Then maybe you will when I'm not busy. And then Zaneska. I’m in love. I want you to meet my love of life. He's handsome." Mitchelle said to her happily.



She shouted on the other line. Elodie's eyes are rolling.

"Do you have a boyfriend? Who?"



"He's not my boyfriend yet, but he's close to me," Mitch said.



"Don't say you're the one court that man?" Elodie asked.

Mitch laughed on the other line.
"No. You know, I'm not easy to get." She says.

"All right, when you come here, bring him with you so I can meet him," Elodie said.

"Sure," Mitch said and cut the line.

Elodie went inside the bedroom and laid down on the bed to sleep. Donald had called earlier but ignored him. He will take care of his life. Zander entered the room to go to Melissa, who was still sleeping. He heard his phone ring as he lay in bed. And Mitchelle texted him. He greeted him and asked if he wouldn’t be out tonight. He told her it was only tomorrow night because there was no school on Saturday. Melissa woke up.

"Brother, has Mom arrived yet? She promised me that she would buy me ice cream when she came home." Melissa asked.


"It hasn't arrived yet, but I know mother will buy ice cream. Go back to sleep. I'll just wake you up later. " he replied.



Melissa nodded and went back to sleep. He left the room because he heard the gate open, indicating that someone had entered. The door opened, and his mother came in with a paper bag.



"What about Melissa, she's already awake?" she asked.



"She woke up earlier, but she went back to sleep," he replied.

"I bought ice cream for her. It's a good thing it hasn't melted yet. Wait, I'll just put it in the fridge." his mother replied.



"How's your walk, mother?" he asked.



"It’s okay. Augusto told me so. Did the two of you talk?" his mother asked, blushing.





"Yes, he told me to court you."



"It's embarrassing! It's like we're teenagers again. Is it okay with you?"





"Yes, mother. No problem with me. Just be happy. "



"Thank you, son. Go to sleep," she said to him and went into his room with Melissa.

He saw his mother pick up Melissa and carry her to their room. He also went into the bedroom to sleep. There's no school tomorrow, so he won't do the paperwork. Zander gave himself a break. It's as if he can rest a little.