3D: Motherly Advice

Skyla made a habit of arising first to care for herself before everyone else. Long showers energized her fatigued body and washed away lingering cares from the previous day. The silence of eating breakfast alone allowed her to think clearly and make plans. Sometimes, Jonathan joined her. Oliver did too whenever he got up on time. But, never Maya. She was so much like her grandfather Eugene sleeping until the very last moment.

Skyla’s heart skipped a beat when her lazy child joined her for breakfast. “You’re up early. Couldn’t sleep?”

“When have you ever known me to have sleep problems, Mom?” she asked in a sharp tone.

Skyla giggled at her beautiful night owl. “Are you sick, pumpkin?”

Maya plopped next to her, slouching in the chair. “I think I would prefer that.”

“Don’t say that.”

She sighed. “I know. I’m just tired of doing all these press conferences. Especially this early in the morning!”

Skyla grinned. “That’s what the Director of Communication does, pumpkin.”

She was so proud of her oldest but disappointed to see her so miserable about the job. It seemed only yesterday she randomly told them she got a job. Jonathan doubted she would stick with it. Now she was almost the top woman in charge.

“I know! I just …” She shrugged and ate her breakfast.

“Is everything ok, pumpkin?”

The frustrated woman pushed the breakfast away. “I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

A tingling sensation began in Skyla’s stomach. Maya didn’t have many cares, and she feared what plagued her anxious daughter. She wanted Maya to have same happiness she always wanted ever since she was a teenager. “Are you and Ranveer ok?”

Maya’s head jerked back. “Ranveer? Of course we’re ok. Better than ok! … But …” She squirmed. “It’s just that … We’re getting serious. Like, really serious.”

Skyla grinned, and that tingly feeling went away. “That’s wonderful, pumpkin!”

“Right?”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“I keep thinking about moving out.”

Skyla’s eyes and mouth flew open.

“But if I do, we’ll get a house together.”

Her words were like music to Skyla’s ears.

“I kinda want that, honestly. But, I’m scared too.”

“That’s reasonable,” Skyla said. “So, what are your concerns?”

The responsibility scared her, but Skyla wanted to hear it from Maya’s own mouth.

“I’m not like you, Mom. You’re so…domestic. I don’t know if I can be that way. I don’t want him to regret this.”

“He won’t, pumpkin. He loves you. And, he knows you. But, even still, I think you’ll find you have so much more to learn about yourself. Being on your own and taking care of a house will show you all kinds of things you never knew. Maybe you should live alone for a while.”

Maya stared at her like she asked her to run a marathon or something.

“Just think about it. If it doesn’t sit well with you, ok.”

Too bad she just now decided to advance to her next chapter. Living alone and discovering herself was exactly what she needed, but time was a luxury she did not have. Maya’s youthful spirit and reluctance to grow up sometimes fooled Skyla into thinking she was much younger than she really was.

“Did that happen for you when you moved in with Daddy?”

Skyla leaned back and thought about it. “It did, but my situation was different.”

“How so?”

“Well, for starters, my life changed completely. I went from living in a single-wide trailer to living in the largest house in the Tri-City area. I went from being dirt poor to uber rich. No one knew me before, but marrying Jonathan put me in the spotlight. I learned SO many things about myself very quickly.”

“Wow. That’s a lot, Mom.”

“It was. It took a while to get used to it, but sometimes change is like that. If you and Ranveer decide to do this, and things don’t work out how you thought, don’t get discouraged. These things take time. And, don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You’ll only stress yourself out. Just remember that Ranveer loves you and no one else.”

“Thanks, Mom. I think I really needed that.”

“I’m always here, pumpkin. No matter how old you get, Mommy will always be here for you.”

“Uhhhh, that was weird, but I think I will let it slide.”

Skyla giggled. “Finish your breakfast before you’re late.”

“Yes, Mommy.”