The Reeses

As soon as Kanalaa reached home, she went to the dining room knowing that the family is already having a dinner at this time and she was not wrong. Her father, grandfather, and grandmother are already enjoying their dinner without knowing she will come home tonight. Although she used to live here when she was still in law school, she was once moved out.

"Good evening! What food are you enjoying?" Kanalaa greeted as she reached the dining room.

She gave aa quick hug and peck on her father before hugging her grandmother while rocking her also as she said, "Omg! I missed you so much granny!" eagerly.

"How about me?" Kanalaa's grandfather interject, giving her a taunting look. Because of that, Kanalaa move to her grandfather to give him the same affection in haste.

"Of course you, too, grandy!" She acknowledged.

"You should have said you were coming, darling. I could have prepare more." Karl's chime in sweetly to his daughter while following her with his eyes.

Kanalaa raised and waved her hand to reassure her father, "It's okay, dad. It was just a sudden decision. I originally have no plan to go here tonight."

"Alright, good thing you came home. Sit here, darling." Her grandmother motioned for her to sit next to her. As soon as she sat down, they continued to have their dinner.

"I heard from your dad you have a boyfriend?" Her granny inquired while busy slicing the meat on her plate.

Kanalaa nodded unconsciouly, without looking at her grandmother she answered, "Yes, I'd bring him some other time. Work is so hectic these days."

"I enjoyed the wine he gave to your father, tell him." Kanalaa's grandy interjected to their conversation.

Kanalaa's head turned to her gradfather as her eyes twinkled hearing her grandy's words.

"I'm glad you liked it, grandy. Alistair would be glad to know that."

"Your mother, did she reached out?"

Silence filled the air with her grandmother's question. Kanalaa shooked her head, shrugged the unsettling atmosphere.

"No, not since after the graduation. Why, granny?"

"Tell me, darling, do you like it better if your mother would not call you anymore?" She asked once again.

"Yes," is the only word she can answer. While the men in the room are just sitting silently, dighing their food, but their ears are working to hear every words the two women utters.

She nodded as acknowledgement of her answer before continuing, "I see, I didn't do anything before because your grandy and I thought you still want to get in touch with your mother. Given that you were still entertaining her before, I let you."

Kanalaa frowned and asked curiously, "Is something up? Why did you suddenly brought it up?"

Her grandmother looked at her eyes intently and speaked up, "Nothing is up. It's been too long since we've talked about your mother. I want to know any changes with your relationship with her to know what will be my appropriate actions to circumstance," reassuring Kanalaa.

"Well, dad still want me to get in touch with her but I no longer want to." She shrugged, not so innocently throwing her father out of the bus

"Kanalaa –" even before Karl can intervene, he was cut by his mother.

"Karl, what have I told you? You support your child. Do not meddle with her decisions. If she will regret her decisions in the future, that will be her lesson to learn." The old lady reprimanding her son.

"Ma, Karolina is still her mother," his simple defense.

Kanalaa and her grandfather are like listeners to a podcast while still focusing on their food. They are bystanders of the exchange of a mother and son. However, that's just for show. Everyone is aware that this kind of topic may not be a taboo in the house but still avoided.

"Indeed, but, does my granddaughter wants to be associated with her?" Old madam Reese asked. While aside from her son and her husband who's stealing glances at her, Kanalaa can't see the expression of her grandmother. It shows on her face the disgust she have for the mother of Kanalaa.

"Well no, she might change her heart though." The only thing Karl can say feeling defeated from his mother.

"Karl, your daughter is no longer a child. Let her decide on her own. It's not like she's still have a tendency to rebel," she reminded.

'Touché, granny' Kanalaa commented on her mind. Before, she decided that she's going to try to be civil with her mother because after all, she's still her mother and both of her and her dad didn't end their marriage with bad blood. She even tried to condition her mind for years to accept the new family of her mother. However, those years were also a torture for her and to this date she decided that she can no longer allow herself to be tortured by herself. She has to deal with her issue. And, first step to that is accepting and acknowledging her genuine feelings towards the matter.

"How about we drop the conversation and enjoy our dinner instead?" Kanalaa chirped to interrupt and stop her father and grandmother from exchanging arguments. She knows that both of them are only concern about her. However, it is best if they won't meddle about it. She's old enough to handle whatever issue she have.

Then, she gave her full attention to her grandmother and diverted the topic immediately, "Granny, I'll arrange a dinner with my boyfriend before you go back home." She gave her a smile and expression of asking for her decision.

Old madam Reese expression before has gone now and replaced with enthusiastic attention with her lovely and one and only granddaughter.

"I'd love that and so does your grandy. Tell me about your boyfriend," she encouraged.

Kanalaa started, "His name is Alistair and just like me he's a lawyer. You know what granny, he looks so gorgeous, he's tall, has a good shape, and most important he's very intellectual which I know we both like. He owns a firm where we both work. You takes really good care of me granny. I see myself marry him." While drescribing Alistair, Kanalaa's eyes are nothing but full of sparkle from adoration towards her partner. This look was seen by everyone on the table. However, even before her granny could respond, her father interrupted.

"I–"

"That's too early to say, Kanalaa," he said seriously, staring at Kanalaa.

Kanalaa felt bad about his comment but she kept it and answered lightly, "Come on, dad. Don't ruin it."

"Your daughter is right, Karl. Just agree with her." Finally, her grandfather talked. If only Kanalaa saw the expression he has, she would've been disappointed because her grandy wasn't really supporting her. By the looks of expression he have, he was insunuating to Karl that let her be and just agree to end the conversation.