She expressed sympathy for how hard I had worked all these years, how much I had overexerted myself, and how it pained her to see me like this.
All I could do was offer half-hearted responses.
Then, she suddenly changed the subject and asked if, over the years, I had found an elderly gentleman I liked.
Her words sent a rush of blood straight to my head, but I held my temper in check.
I replied, "I'm old now, and I don't have the heart for that anymore."
Riley teased me, saying I had high standards and that the men her mother had introduced to me did not stand a chance.
"Well, you're too good for just anyone, Kenya. You've got to be choosy to find someone who's truly suitable."
She prattled on, saying that as my family members, they completely supported and understood me.
She said it would be nice to have someone to grow old with, someone to care for each other in later years.
My face grew darker, but she seemed oblivious.
Finally, Riley got to her real point.