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Quilo
It’s been two days since Lumi bolted from the rink, virtually vanishing into thin air, and I’ve not seen her since. Whit even went by her studio to speak to her and the whole place was locked up. In the end I had to get Yas to speak to her EMT friend, Sacha, to find out where she lives.
Hence how I’m now sitting outside her apartment block on my bike, trying to work up the courage to go in. It’s early, but I thought I might be able to grab her on her way to work.
The door opens and my breath catches as she comes out with her daughter in tow. She’s breathtakingly beautiful, dressed head to toe in workout gear, obviously heading to work after the school run. Crap. I need to speak to her now, before she leaves.
“But Mama,” the little girl complains loudly. “I’ve learnt enough this year already. I don’t want to go to school. It’s time for summer.”
“Ade, you’re going to school and that’s final.” There’s a beat of silence and then Lumi adds, “Do you hear me?”
No reply.
“Ade?”
No reply.
“Answer me when I’m talking to you.”
“I did.”
“No you didn’t.”
“In my head I did.”
“Well, in your head, what did you say? It better not have been a cuss word, young lady.”
“I said I’m not feeling very worky today.”
“Adelaine. You should be more grateful, your teachers work really hard and you should show them some respect,” Lumi snaps.
“I am! I like my teachers for teaching me the words that let me argue with you, Mama.”
Lumi laughs, and I can’t help but crack a smile too as I remove my helmet. Neither of them have noticed me yet.
“Ade—”
“Mama, the teacher lied. She said it would be a piece of cake. There was no cake. She lied about the cake. That isn’t something to be proud of, and if I were you, I’m not sure I’d want my child being taught by liars. She also keeps telling me that math is important. I think that’s a lie too.”
Lumi shakes her head in exasperation with the girl, then finally spots me and freezes.
“Quilo!” The little girl squeals in excitement, rushing over to the bike.
“Hey birthday girl, how are you?”
“It’s not my birthday anymore.” She frowns then sticks her tongue out at me, eyes alight with mischief.
“Good point. Did you have a good birthday?”
“Yeah! I’m sorry we broke the rink.”
“Huh?”
“Ade, go wait in the car,” Lumi says in a hurry. “I won’t be long or we’ll be late for school.”
“Okay, Mama. Bye Quilo.”
“See you later, mate,” I call as she turns away. She skids to a stop and turns back to face me, giving me a filthy look.
