On the other hand, after three weeks she could count the times spent with her aunt on her fingers. Aunt Isioma was rarely home; either out on business or fulfilling engagements in her eventful social calendar. She‘d made time to take Gladys for a visit to the family owned textile industry, an art show at Terra Kulture and the cinema. All were great and novel experiences but they presented no suitable time to talk about what weighed on her mind; the previous non-existent relationship. Her aunt‘s behavior was poles apart from what her mother had feared, but this only raised more questions than it answered. Since they were dining together tonight, she would take advantage of the time to raise the topic.
A knock on the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts. Bunmi came in at her reply, but remained just inside the door. “Good evening, auntie.”
Gladys had tried to no avail to get the maid to call her by her own name. The shy girl stammered as she added, “Madam want to know when you go come down for dinner.”
“Is the food ready?”
“Yes auntie.”
“Then I‘ll follow you down right away.”
At the dinner table, Gladys sat down with a resolute manner, though she trembled inside. She looked up at the movement in the corner of her view.
“How was your day?” Aunt Isioma asked, sitting down at the head of the table.
“It was good, thanks. I went out to submit some resumes.”
“Good, good.” Steam rose from the ceramic dishes as her aunt lifted the covers and began to scoop some rice into the flat plate before her. The aroma of fried chicken and spicy tomato sauce filled the room. Gladys filled her plate and they began to eat.
“I want to know how else I can help with your job hunt…”
“You‘ve really done a lot by giving me the phone and offering the use of your cars.”
“What did you study?”
“I have a degree in business management. I attended some tests in the last couple of weeks and have an interview lined up soon.”
“Oh you have? That is very nice.”
“Yes, I did the test for Zenon Oil last week and Diamond Bank too.” Gladys wanted to impress her aunt and show she could get things done on her own too.
There was a dawning respect in Aunt Isioma‘s contemplation. “You‘re a very well composed girl; one of those jobs will probably work out. In the mean time I‘ll give you a list of some other places I think will suit your qualifications. I also have some business calls next week, and will follow up some of my late husband‘s connections to see what happens.”