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New Eden 25

“Mother Claire, you should take it easy.”

“I’m fine, Aleah.” I am, I’m just a little tired. Aleah has been fretting too much since the girls came for a visit. I am happy they made it, though.

Aleah has just helped me into a seat. She made sure it’s as comfy as possible. She really needn’t worry so much, though.

“Mama Claire will be fine Aleah, just let her relax.” May comes over and puts a hand on her sister’s shoulder. She tries to put on a smile to ease her sister, but even I can see she is anxious.

“I’m glad you two made it. It’s made your Mother Rae very happy.” I lean back into my chair. Maybe I am a bit tired.

“Of course, Mother…” Aleah rises, after she has finished setting the blanket around me.

“Yeah, we hope it was a good day for you, Mama Claire.” May’s smile looked strained. I wish they wouldn't look so sad. It’s okay.

“It was.” I close my eyes for a moment. It was such a lovely dinner. I just wish I had more of an appetite. The girls put so much work into it. “You know we love you, right? We are very proud of you two.”

They look so beautiful. We have been so blessed. They have grown up into fine, capable women.

Aleah looks over at May with concern. Despite trying to put on a brave face, May is starting to get misty eyed. Girls, it's fine.

“I think your Mama needs a bit of quiet, girls.” Rae enters the room, carrying a tray with tea. I can tell from the aroma that it’s perfectly brewed as usual.

“Mother, you should have let us make the tea!” Aleah rushes over and helps Rae keep the tray stable. The two of them keep fretting over the both of us.

Rae clicks her tongue, “Please Aleah, I’m still capable. Besides, we both know she likes the way I make it better.” Rae doesn’t fight her off, though, and they bring the tray over to me and sit next to my seat. Rae pulls her own chair closer to mine and settles in. “You two should go clean up, it’s okay.”

Aleah sighs and pulls May towards the kitchen. “Come on, May, let’s give them some privacy." May looks like she wants to argue, but Aleah meets her eyes and she relents. “We love you, Mother.” Aleah’s voice is soft, and it looks like May might choke if she tries to say something, so she just nods her head.

“Thank you girls. It will be fine.” I’m just tired.

“Claire?” Rae's voice catches my attention. I must have nodded off. It’s just the two of us now, and she pours us two cups of tea. It smells just right.

“Thank you, Rae.” She puts the cup into my hand and helps guide my hand to take a sip. It’s perfect.

She smiles once we put the cup back down. She is still beautiful after all these years. The wrinkles and grayed hair are a mark of a life well lived. One I am so proud to have shared with her.

“Claire?” She asks again.

“Yes, Rae?”

“I love you.” I smile and she twines her hand in mine.

“Ooh? Well, I suppose I might love you too.” Her wrinkle crease as she smiles at our silliness.

I lean back into my seat and let out a contented sigh. Rae’s hand squeezes mine and I do my best to squeeze back. I feel very tired.

“Rae?”

“Yes?” The way I must have asked it has caused her concern.

“I love you.”

She nods and waits for me to continue.

“It was a beautiful life.”

Rae’s face scrunches at that. Please, my love, it’s okay.

“Please, Rae, don’t lose hope. There is always next time.”

She squeezes my hand and nods. I can see tears twinkling in her eyes. “I’ll find you again.” Her voice wavers.

“No…”

“No?” Her voice cracks.

“I’ll find you this time.” I give her hand a squeeze. “It’s only fair.”

Her face settles, still solemn, but the worry is pushed aside for now. “Is that a promise?” I want to. I want us to find each other over and over again. I want us to be there for each other every time.

“It is. I love you, Rae.” So much.

“And I love you, Claire. Always .” I worry she might break, but she just smiles as her gaze locks with mine. Rae draws her face to mine and we share a kiss. Her lips melt into mine perfectly. I don’t have the energy for much but I put all I can into one last kiss. Rae slides back into her chair and hums. She runs her fingers over my knuckles and I feel myself relaxing.

I am very tired.

Perhaps I just need a quick rest for my eyes.

“So what’s the deal with that Oohashi-san?” Loretta asks. She can’t help but be annoyed, it seems. She certainly has made her dislike of Rae known over the last couple days. And it’s not like Rae has made much of an effort to help alleviate that dislike, either. Some things never change.

The girls had dragged me to a nicer restaurant for lunch, despite my protests that it wasn’t necessary. I told them the cafeteria was fine but they seemed offended by the idea. Well, at least Pepi did—Loretta probably wouldn’t have said anything. At least it means that I get to see a bit more of the city.

“Oohashi-san is my tutor, and a stellar one at that.” I try to keep my tone neutral, factual.

“Since when do you need a tutor, Francois-chan?” Pepi inquires archly.

“My grades have not been in a good state lately. It would be shameful for a Francois to allow that to continue.” A truth is easier to sell than a lie.

Pepi just hums, clearly not content with the answer.

“Why didn’t you just ask me for help?” Loretta says, quite exacerbated. But asking Loretta would be…. well .

Pepi laughs, and Loretta pouts at her. “Loretta-chan, she wants to improve her grades.” There is a sly grin on her face. “ Still , why is this the first we are hearing about it? And we didn’t see you at the party last night, either.”

“Well, I was studying last night.”

Pepi blinks three times. She can be so melodramatic. “ Seriously ?” Come on now, even at my worst I valued my education. “What is going on with you? It even sounds like you’re talking differently!”

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I might be able to fool Loretta, but not Pepi. I sigh. “Would you believe me if I said I changed?”