My mother might suspect that we used body language to communicate with each other regarding the content of the letter. Her glance drifted from me to Vera and vice versa. Regardless of what she was thinking of, I strived to relax before her. It was not easy to pretend that this object in my hold delivered good news while it acquainted the opposite.

"So, what does it notify about?" She could not wait to know the information in the letter.

"I have been through a hard day and so weary and thirsty. I need something to quench my thirst." I made an excuse. My mother did not complain. She understood...