22 It's hurting my soul

My mom did not stir, as if she became a statue that can not move, she was obviously in shock. Her face was unusually pale and her hands were icy cold...

I came out from my hiding place and slowly approached her. "Mom... Are you ok?" She looked at me then slowly tears fall from her eyes. She hugged me tightly while sobbing. I just let her pour out her feeling while gently patting her back and shoulder. I'll patiently wait till her sobs subsides and she's ready to talk about what the visitor told her that made her cry a river. It's hurting my soul.

"Is Richard your boyfriend?" mother asked between sobs.

"Ofcourse not!!!" So, this is it. Richard is the subject. "Mom, what was it all about? what did that woman tell you? I met him twice only. The first one was very brief. That was when I sent you baking wares."

"The second was yesterday after work, he passed by when I was on my way home and invited me to a dinner. It was a friendly dinner with him mom, we were just reminiscing our childhood experiences. Nothing romantic or whatsoever." A pinch on my heart when I said that."

Between sobs she managed to utter shocking words that wring my heart. "Avoid him, with all your might, don't ever see him again. Don't talk to him or text him or be connected with him in social media. He is married to that dangerous woman. That woman is very capable of doing harm to you or even kill you".