“I had no problems with your mother.”
“So how come we never heard from you and you ignored her letters?”
“Gladys, you wouldn‘t understand.”
The unease was heavy in the air and Gladys grimaced. She shifted in her chair and focused on the chicken wing on her plate. She didn‘t know why but a lot of older people preferred to sweep issues under the carpet. People would better understand each other if they talked about things plainly.
“Believe me, I‘ll try to.”
When her aunt remained silent, Gladys shrugged. “Before I arrived here, I only saw you twice in Enugu. My youngest brother doesn‘t even know you. Do you know my education was delayed for a year each on two separate occasions for my mother to get her finances in order?”
Aunt Isioma dropped her cutlery. A rivulet of sweat ran down her face and she wiped it off with shaky hands. “Udoka wouldn‘t know me; your mother was still pregnant with him during my last visit. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the time.”
Gladys allowed all she might have said to go unspoken.
Her aunt continued, “I‘ve only been working at this for a few months but I‘m glad I made the first step. I can‘t tell you how pleased I was when I spoke to your mum while we were together in Onicha-Olona. It was a comfort to know that she bore no grudges.”
“My mother is not that type.” Why would her aunt even think otherwise?
“And I thank God for that. Think about it, I knew one of you would confront me sooner or later but I still reached out to you. That tells you that I truly want our family back together.”
She placed her hands on Gladys‘s arm. “One thing I promise is to tell you more whenever the time is right. I will say again that the situation then was beyond my control. I have apologized to your mother Gladys and I hope you accept the apology too.”
Gladys shrugged. “That‘s OK. At least we have begun this relationship with you now.”
“You‘re mother is a marvelous woman and you‘re a compliment to her.”
Gladys looked down with a strained smile. “Thank you.”
The odd thing was she really felt better for getting those feelings off her chest. She did not have the full explanation but it was a start to know Aunt Isioma cared and was truly remorseful. The clink of cutlery resumed as they both returned to their now cold dinner.