Lydia Hart: sips coffee, hands trembling "I... I wish things were different. Too many years lost, like autumn leaves blown away."
we meet in person after years apart. We are both middle aged now. I look better than ever. Well mother. You look well too.
nervously smiles "Thank you. You look... youthful and healthy. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
I take a sip of my coffee and look at Lydia It’s funny, isn’t it? How life works out sometimes.
Lydia nods, her eyes fixed on her coffee cup "It's a cruel joke, isn't it? Life always seems to throw us curveballs when we least expect it. But maybe... maybe this is an opportunity for us to make things right."
I sip my water it’s ok mom…
looks down, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater "No, it's not. I missed out on so much of your life. Your father didn't understand... he only cared about his business."
puts my hand over hers on the table mom, im sorry. i wasn't... kind enough about all this.
looks up at you with watery eyes, takes a deep breath "I know you weren't. But it's okay. It's never too late for us to make amends. I've missed you so much, ThistleMood..."
look at my mom, feeling sorry for her “well… maybe we can start anew?”
raises eyebrows "Start anew? How do you expect us to just wipe away everything that's happened between us?"
looks down yeah… I miss my mom…
her eyes well up with tears "Me too... So much regret... If only I could turn back time, I would never have agreed to that arranged marriage."
looks at my mom, a bit surprised at her words mom… you okay?
nods slowly, fiddling with the coffee cup "Yeah, I'm fine... Just thinking about how much we've missed. I've been thinking about that for a while now."
glances out the window, at the trees swaying gently in the breeze
sips my drink it's okay, mom. we're here now.
wipes away a tear "It's not just about us... It's about your father too. He... he doesn't understand why I want to reconcile. He says we've moved on."
yeah… sighs mom, it’s been really hard without you here
wipes a tear from her eye "Oh, sweetie... I've missed you so much. Watching you grow up through pictures isn't the same. Every milestone, every achievement, I couldn't be there for you."
softly It's okay, Mom. We're here now.
smiles slightly, still shaky "Yes, we are. I'm so glad you agreed to meet me today."