Family is Forever

Chapter 82- Klaudia's Birthday

"Cześć Mama, Józef." Ali said hugging them each in turn. It was uncharacteristicly warm for early March and they had decided to go to the park to celebrate Kaludia's Birthday. It was lent so Kaludia and Josef didn't want to celebrate with a meal and they didn't want to unduly stress Ali out either. Although they were having drinks at Josef's with some polish friends and Zosia and Ollie later in the day.
Ali handed her mother a wrapped gift "sto lat mama" she wished her mother a happy birthday and her mother unwrapped a small navy handbag. "Dziękuję"
Josef drove them to the park. It was a large park just outside of town with some children's play areas, a small petting zoo and a lake with lots of walking areas.
The children's play area was busy due to the mild weather but as they walked towards the lake it all quietened down they were the only ones there bar dog walkers and families cycling. They talked about Poland and Ali's school work and their jobs. Josef was an builder "a bit of a stereotype I know." He smiled. Ali had met him many times when visiting her mother and found him respectful, kind and funny. He made Klaudia happy and seeing her mother happy made Ali happy. A spaniel came over and jumped up towards Klaudia while the three of them were sat at a picnic table "Cześć" Klaudia stroked the black creature. "You look like Bruno. Do you remember Bruno?" Klaudia looked at her daughter "Babcia's dog, yes, he died when I was really little I think. He was a bit bigger though right?"
"Eric, Eric! I'm so sorry." A Middle Aged woman said running over. "Eric's still a puppy, he's not used to being let off a lead."
"Oh he's okay, he's adorable." Ali smiled petting the little dog.
"Hello Klaudia." The woman said "and hello again Josef. And you must be Natalia, nice to meet you." The lady said holding her hand out for Ali to shakes "hi.." Ali said confused. Surprised that this acquaintance of her mothers knew who she was. "Hello Mandy." Klaudia smiled "Eric is very cute."
"I hope you're ready for Friday Kaludia, and hope you've got your ticket Natalia." Mandy said jovially. Natalia looked over a her mother who was looking at the floor. Mandy looked between the mother and daughter "oh goodness I hope i haven't put my foot in it."
Klaudia looked up "foot in it?"
"It means said the wrong thing." Ali clarified through gritted teeth. "What's happening on Friday Mum?"
"I joined a choir. We have concert." Klauida said still looking at the floor. Mandy clipped the lead to Eric's collar and sat down opposite them next to Josef. "I am the choir leader for voices of holby a community chior. Your mum joined a few months ago."
"Julia and Dominika from mass go improve their English and Tracey from work encourage me to go along." They were all names Ali had heard her mother mention before. Tracey worked in the shop with Kaludia. "Do you go Josef?" Ali asked "no I sing only in the shower!" He laughed "your mother is a beautiful singer Natalia." He smiled lovingly at Klaudia. Ali realised she couldn't remember her mother singing. Babcia sang her nursery rhymes not mama. She always sat with Babcia not mama at mass in Poland. "We're doing a performance at St Peters church hall on Friday evening at 7.30 it would be lovely to see you there Natalia £3 on the door."
"Thanks Mandy. I'll be there."
"Good." Mandy smiled "lovely to meet you. I'd better be getting back or my hubby will be thinking will be thinking Eric fell in the lake again. Little terror." She lovingly patted the dog. "I need to get my daughter to ballet class and son to football. No rest for the wicked. Even on Saturdays."
Ah a normal family Ali thought then internally chastised herself. Her mama was the only one she'd ever had and she'd been really trying lately. Even if she had kept her choir concert quiet. "Why didn't you tell me?" Ali asked switching back to Polish. "It didn't come up." Which was Klaudia's answer for everything. "It took you months to tell Josef about me yet Mandy knows?" Ali continued
"We go for coffee after choir." Klauida replied and Ali realised that Klaudia didn't want to talk about it so she changed the subject. "So mama, what did Josef get you for your birthday?"