The Locked Door

Part 22

When Walker opened the door to her and saw her bag the smile he had greeted her with widened, “you’re staying?”

Jaya grinned and nodded “if your invitation still stands?”

“Definitely” he said and drew her into his arms and kissed her.

When he eased back a few minutes later he said “do you want to come and meet mum?”

“Sure” she said as nerves had her heart beating faster.

He smiled “give me that” he said taking her bag “I’ll be back in a second” and he walked off in the direction of his bedroom. In a few seconds he was back and clasping her hand he said “come on” and led her up the stairs. 

Jaya took deep breaths as they climbed the stairs. She still felt odd meeting Walker’s mother’s when they hardly knew each other. Not to mention the fact that after that week they would not be seeing each other again. That thought did much to temper her nerves however. As it had all day, it hung over her like a dark spectre, dulling all other feelings and emotions. Nothing else seemed to matter as much.

At the top of the stairs Walker turned to the left and stopped at a door. With a quick knock and without waiting for an answer Walker opened the door. “Mum?” he said and pushing the door open wider he said “I’ve brought someone to meet you.”

Jaya nerves were back as she stepped into the room and she squeezed Walker’s hand that was still holding hers.

He turned his head and grinned at her before drawing her further into the room.

Walker’s mother was sitting up in bed. If Jaya didn’t know she was so sick she could not have picked it from the older woman’s face. She was smiling.

“So this is Jaya?” she said.

Jaya blushed knowing that, as he had said, Walker had been talking about her. “Nice to meet you Mrs Jones.”

“Call me Liz, please” the older woman said.

“Nice to meet you Liz” Jaya said smiling.

“Walker has told me all about you” she said “and he mentioned that you were beautiful but I think he understated it.”

Jaya’s face was hot with colour. “No” she said shaking her head and looking away.

“I see we’ll have to agree to disagree on that” Liz said.

Jaya gave her a smile.

“I’m sorry I can’t personally be more hospitable” she said “but I hope Walker is making you feel at home?”

“He is” Jaya said “and that’s fine. Thank you for having me here.”

“That’s my pleasure” the older woman said. “So Walker tells me you’re a set designer, what does that involve?”

Jaya spent a few minutes explained what she did as part of her job and Liz listened and asked questions.

“And you came up to clear out your grandmother’s house, where is it in town?”

Jaya explained where the house was from the present location and Liz nodded “yes I think I know the house you mean. You’ll sell it now?”

“Yes” she said “it was mum’s decision.”

Liz nodded and her expression indicated that she understood but then she laid her head back on the pillows.

It was only then that Jaya realised what an effort it had been for Liz to talk so animatedly. Worried, she turned and looked at Walker.

“Maybe we could come back later mum” Walker said. “Jaya and I haven’t eaten yet.”

Jaya knew it was an excuse so they could leave Liz to rest so she did not argue.

“Of course” Liz said “you two go and eat.”

“It was lovely to meet you Liz” Jaya said.

“It was wonderful to meet you Jaya. I’m glad Walker won’t be alone anymore.”

Jaya didn’t know what to say to that so she just smiled and walked out of the room. Waiting outside the door she heard Walker say “I’ll be back in a minute Mum.”

“Thank you dear” Liz said in a tired voice and Walker joined her in the hallway.

“Is she okay?” Jaya whispered.

“Yes, she just tires easily. Do you want to go down and check on dinner, it’s in the oven? Get yourself  a drink too. I won’t be long.”

“Take your time” Jaya said and she reached up to give him a quick kiss before she walked downstairs.