I decided to visit my mom before I went to work my twelve hour shift at the hospital. If I didn't have somewhere to go she would keep me there all day. Being the youngest child, she still saw me as her baby, despite being thirty years old. I ran my hands over my navy blue scrubs before I knocked on the door.

"Oh, its you", my sister said as she opened the door. Her plump body filled up most of the doorway. I squeezed by her, ignoring her comment.

"Where's mom Tiff?" 

"Out."

"Out with who?"

"A friend, she'll be back soon."

"How come I didn't know about this friend?"

"Because you're never around."

I sat down on a chair in the living room, the plastic my mom insisted on placing over it had me re-positioning every other second. It seemed like the time on my watch wasn't moving at all. The only sound heard was the humming of the refrigerator. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. It should be a crime not to have air conditioner in a house with this Florida heat. I stood up and turned on the ceiling fan, the cool breeze felt like heaven.

"So, how's my niece doing?" I asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"What's with you? You've had this attitude since I came here!"

"Don't worry your pretty little self with my problems."

I felt my body getting hot. My anger was about to get the best of me.

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't care," I yelled.

She rolled her eyes.

"Really? We're acting immature now?" I asked as I glared at her.

"Oh please, don't act like you're any better than me!"

"What gives you that impression?"

"You come here in your fancy car, looking down on me because I still stay with mom."

I took a deep breath. I envisioned us on the swings in the park when we were younger. We would take turns pushing each other, seeing who could go the highest. My mom made it her business to take us every weekend, that was until my dad left. She never told us why he left or when he'd come back, and as the years passed we realized that he was never going to return. I always thought so highly of my mom because she never cried, at least not in front of us, and she provided us with everything we needed.

My silence must have frustrated Tiffany because she continued to blabber.

"You act like your life is all perfect!" she screamed.

"I never said that."

"Well I know it isn't Miss. I'm-sleeping-with-my-husband's-best-friend!"

The sound of keys giggling just outside the door stopped me from hurting my sister's feelings. I got up and looked through the peephole. It was my mom. I unlocked the door and hugged my mother's slender body. She looked great at the age of sixty-two. It was like staring into a mirror. Ever since I was born people said we were twins. Her make-up was flawless and her hair was in a small afro with a nice mix of black and grey. She always made sure she represented herself well. It was something she instilled in us from childhood.

"My baby is here!" she shouted as she squeezed me in her arms.

I smiled as we let go of each other.

"Where's your friend that you were with?" I asked.

"He dropped me off, I'll tell you all about him."

We went into the kitchen where my sister was eyeing me. If looks could kill I would've been dead.

My mom glanced over her shoulder, "Tiffany, fix your sister something to drink."

"That's OK mom, I'm fine. I just wanted to stop by, I have to go to work soon."

"Oh no, you have to go already?" she asked, placing her cold hand on top of mine.

"I don't know why your surprised mom", Tiffany butted in, "She rarely stops by as it is."

"I can stay for a few more minutes," I said, directing my words toward Tiffany.

She giggled to herself as she walked away.

"How's that husband of yours?" my mom asked in a cheerful voice.

"He's doing great!" I tried to match her enthusiasm.

"Why don't you bring him the next time you come?"

"Uh, sure."

That wasn't going to happen. I desperately wanted to change the subject.

"Who's the lucky guy you were with?" 

Her face lit up, "his name is Charles. He...he's the one."

This was news to me. She didn't really have a love life once my dad left. If she did date she would be quick to say it wasn't serious. It was nice to see her like this. I know my face didn't light up when she asked about Chris, I wondered if it would if someone asked about Fred.

"I'm happy to hear that mom."

"It's been so long since I felt like this...now if only your sister can find her a decent man."

Knowing Tiffany's bad streak with men I didn't make a comment.

"Do you think you'll get married again?" I asked.

"I don't know. We'll see how it goes."

She sat back in the kitchen chair. Her eyes were locked on the wall.

"How are you doing though baby?" she asked without breaking her gaze.

"I'm great mom, but I should be leaving..."

She blinked a few times.

"Do you have to go?"  she asked jokingly.

"Yes, mom I do."

We both stood up from the table.

"You don't want anything to eat before you go?" she asked as she looked me up from top to bottom.

"I'm okay mom."

As we walked towards the front door we passed the hallway leading to Tiffany's room.

"Your sister is leaving!" my mom yelled out to Tiffany.

"Good for her!" she shouted back.

My mom shook her head and walked me to my car. I knelt down slightly to give her a kiss on the cheek. Age had taken a few inches from her height, but it didn't slow her down one bit.

"I love you mom."

"I love you too."

I could tell something was bothering her.

"I don't know what's going on between you and your sister but I don't like it."

"It's her mom, I don't know what she has against me," I lied. The animosity me and my sister had between each other had grown over the years.

"Please come by more, I miss my baby girl."

"I will mom."

She opened my car door for me, and closed it once she saw I was safely inside. I cranked up the car and backed up slowly. Before pulling into the street, I saw my mom's lips moving. I rolled down the window and stuck my head out.

"What was that mom?" I yelled.

"I want some grand kids from you soon!"

I waved at her. Seems like every time I saw her she would tell me that. No one knew how much that bothered me.