Ma and I had a funny conversation today that brought on a lot of memories. She was asking me if I remembered how old I was when she taught English at home to some girls, who were a little older than me. Well of course I did, 'cause I remember everything that happened in the past. I was seven or eight. And well, we were talking about that, and how I'd behave in front of them. Just as soon as she would sit with them, to do some work, I'd pop up with some problem and be like "ami na eii homework ta parchi na" or "Ma, amar khide peyeche" or something like that. I think my brother and I came up with some plan (and I know he'll vehemently deny this) to pretend as if we were adopted children. My brother and I would coop up in his chotto room that was adjacent to the dining room where these girls studied and would talk as loudly as possible - "Haa...Ma amader khetei daye na. Amra adopted na, tai." We were so terribly discouraging and wicked. My brother was paranoid that Ma would teach in St. James when he was still studying there. I used to pretend I didn't know my mother when she taught in my school, unless I needed money to buy something. No, it wasn't all that bad...but it was weird...I used laugh and say "Good Morning Mrs. Gupta". And my friends would be like "Hi Aunty...I mean, Morning Miss". I remember when I first came home from school, and Ma wasn't at home, peeping from behind the door and giving me a peck on the cheek as I entered. I had to make my own lunch and my own coffee. There was no-one I could talk about the day with. I hated it that, she had to work. But it's been a while now. And I'm glad she's working finally. I'm glad she's out of the house, doing what she wants and is somewhere where her inconsiderate, overdemanding children won't tyrannize her all the time. Heh. No. We weren't like that! But you know...I'm just glad that she hasn't given up on her dreams at 50.