"Your son is gifted." The principal beamed at my mother.
My mom tapped her feet "What did you gift him and why the need to call me for this? My eldest son has his SATs in 81 days and my daughter's college application essay needs revision."
The principal looked at my stony face and exhaled
"Mrs. Raj, I meant your son is a gifted student and we would like to encourage him."
My mother didn't even try to keep her eyes from going towards her brows.
"Neil is horrible at studies, believe me I've tried, I think you made a mistake."
She turned on her feet and prepared to leave.
"There are other areas besides studies, Neil is a gifted artist."
A chuckle escaped me as I looked at my mother's face where different emotions were fighting to reign supreme. Originally confusion was winning, with disgust just starting out but it was exasperation that finished first.
"Art does not put food in the belly, it’s a rich man's idle hobby. It's nothing I'll encourage."
My practical Asian mom looked at me and I shrugged.
As she left after this 2-minute conversation, there was a silence wherein the principal tried to form words.
"I'm sorry." He finally managed to say.
"It is okay, she doesn't really mind me, my siblings are good students so that's where her energy goes. I'll enter the art program; she won’t oppose it but won't encourage it either."
Outside, mom was wrestling with her car, it wasn't starting again.
"Why did he have to call me? I was in the middle of checking your brother's exam. He must be so flustered."
She drummed her fingers on the driving wheel.
"Neil, do whatever you want to, I tried to secure your future but since you don’t like studying at least don’t interfere with your siblings."
"Mom, aren't you stuck with me like this car?"
Her hands stilled on the driving wheel and she turned to look at me for a long time before speaking.
"That's not true, I just worry so much about your future. I see myself in you when I was younger. I used to write poetry, but it would never have paid for the bare necessities of life. I don't want you to struggle and drive a beat-up car because you couldn't build a better life for yourself."
7 years later
My sister's shiny sedan was competing with parking space with my brother's swanky sports car. The lawyer and the doctor seemed to be thriving. I got out of the SUV and walked the path to my home after a long time.
Inside the home, there were garish decorations for mom's 50th birthday.
My brother bustled towards me.
"Look who's here."
"The artist NYT magazine termed the Da Vinci of our times." my sister grinned.
My mother stood in the background clasping and unclasping her hands.
"You made it."
"Yes mom, I did."
"Of course, he wouldn't miss your birthday."
"That's not what I-" my mom started.
I blinked my eyes to show that I understood.
"Let's open mom's presents."
My sister had got warm woolen stockings, my brother handed a gift card genially and they looked towards me.
I took my mom by the hand to show her the shiny new SUV that was parked outside.
"Thank you for raising me. We might not understand each other but I understand the sacrifices you made for us."
I love the linguistic misunderstanding at the beginning. That’s a great way to characterize this story as an ESL family’s experience.
As an artist who heard these same conversations, but also came to understand where my parents were coming from, I really appreciate this story -- well done!
A mother will always be concerned about the future welfare of her children.
She has bequeathed her son an artistic inheritance and now receives a good reward. Good story, @diebitch
Thank you for writing this sobering story on @theinkwell, @diebitch.
Thanks also for linking up with fellow writers
OMG! What a sweet ending, he didn't hate her no matter the fact that she gave up on him but he decided to fight his way through and gifted her SUV. That's so cool. Nice story buildup
Yay! 🤗
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