Conclusion: I have gained a better appreciation for adjectives!

When I arrived to her house, my mother sat on the loveseat brushing baby food from her blouse. When she glanced up at me, her eyes picked up the sunlight streaming through the window and made them shine like diamonds.

Me: Hey, Mom. How has your day been?
Mom: Tiring. Leland kept me busy today, as usual. How is school?
Me: Not too bad. Actually, I have an English assignment to interview someone. Would you like to be my interviewee?
Mom: Sure, sweetie. Whenever you’re ready. But let’s go out on the deck so we’re not too loud.

She rocked forward to her feet and snatched her cigarettes off of the counter on her way out the door. She leaned forward against the deck and crossed her legs behind her.

Me: Uh, where should I start? What kinds of things did Grandmom do before and after she had you?

She struck a match and took a drag. Her eyes looked up at the sky as if the answer was written amongst the clouds.

Mom: Well, you remember her telling you stories about how she used to work on airplanes when she was a little younger than you, right? A true Rosie the Riveter, she was. And then after she had my brothers and me, she dedicated her life to raising us.
Me: Do you think she was ever held back from going out and getting a job while she raised the five of you?
Mom: I wouldn’t say so. I don’t think she wanted to work again. There were, after all, five of us. She definitely had her hands full. Besides, your Grandfather worked fulltime to support the family.

She pulled up a chair and nodded to suggest I sit with her.

Me: Right. So, was there anything you felt held back from before you got married?
Mom: Not that I can think of.
Me: You worked when you were married, didn’t you?
Mom: Yes, I worked as a secretary at a Lawn Doctor up until after Danny was born.
Me: It was your choice, right?
Mom: Completely. I wanted to make myself useful and be social. I loved you kids to death, but I hated being stuck in the house all of the time. I needed that break. I couldn’t imagine if I didn’t work during that time.

The sun broke through the clouds and illuminated her hair like chocolate. Her skin shimmered like the sea. She took another drag and it seeped from her mouth like molasses.

Me: I know after the divorce you had no choice but to hold down a few jobs to support us. Did you have any difficulty finding jobs?
Mom: Not with my experience in office management.
Me: Hm, I am trying to think of how to word this. Would you say that the majority of the people with your skills are males or females?
Mom: Probably females. It is most stereotypical, anyway, to think of a female working in offices and cubicals.

She lifted her hand and held it parallel to the sky.

Me: Wow, this is getting long, and I am not sure if I’m even doing what I am supposed to. I will try to wrap it up and get to the point. In general, do you feel that women contribute as equally as men?

She sat up in her chair and readjusted her skirt.

Mom: Work-wise? Although men dominate the physical labor departments of the workforce, females most-likely dominate secretaries, nursing, beauticians, and such jobs like that. Overall, men still probably win because there are still mothers that insist on being homemakers and never returning to work. Did I answer your question?

She squinted while awaiting my response.

Me: I think so, but I don’t think I was supposed to aim this mainly toward work. So, hm. Is there anything, as a woman, you would feel you would not be able to do if you really wanted to?
Mom: I don’t believe so. Nothing has stopped me yet.
Me: Thanks, Mom.
Mom: Anytime, Airbear. I hope I gave you the answers you were looking for.
Me: Me too.

She hugged like a bear and pecked my cheek with her lips like a bird.