A Mother's Love

With Aunt Peg gone your mother must have felt all alone and fighting a losing battle. She collapses onto the kitchen floor and starts to sob. Big, heavy, gasping sobs. You and Elsie look at each other concerned, it was hard to see your mother like this. Together you go to her and kneel on the floor beside her, one to either side of her, and embrace her in a shared hug.

"It's okay Mom, really it is." You sooth her. "Things have never been better. Elsie and I are so happy now."

Elsie adds. "Yes we are. Won't you be happy for us too? We never meant to hurt you."

Your mom weeps into your chest. "Your father would be so ashamed of me...to have allowed this...ohhhhh..."

You see Fiona enter the kitchen to see why her mother was crying like this. She comes to join the group of you on the floor. You pull her into your shared embrace around your mother, the three siblings cradling their mother between them. You all hold her a long time as she lets the tears flow freely. The Bailey family clinging together as one on the kitchen floor.

Your mother finally begins to collect herself. Her breathing steadies and you all help her up and to the kitchen table. She takes a seat and gathers herself some more. You and El sit across from her and Fiona sits beside her, your big sister putting her arm around her mother. Unconsciously you and Elsie take one another's hand, the clasped hands resting on the table. Your mom notices it, she stares at your entwined hands. Only then do you notice it yourself.

"You guys really do love each other, don't you?" She asks in a soft quiet voice.

"We really do." You answer.

Elsie adds. "As much as you loved Dad or Aunt Peg. As much as anyone could be in love."

"Is there anything I can say to convince you? To make you see reason?"

"No." You both say together. You squeeze Elsie's hand in yours.

Your mom takes a long deep breath, slowly exhaling. "I'm not going to pretend I approve of this. But..." She looks up to you as Fiona clasps her shoulder for emotional support. "...but it looks like I'm going to have to accept it." She looks between the three of you. "You three mean so much to me. I don't want to lose you, any of you." She reaches across and puts her hand over your and Elsie's, Fiona soon follows suit.

"You won't lose us Mom. We love you." You say to her. She nods to you, coming to grips with it. You continue. "We are going to have to move though, we can't stay around here."

Again your mother nods. "I understand. You need a clean slate and some anonymity. We'll see what we can do."

You and Elsie look at each other a bit confused. "We?" Elsie asks.

"We." Your mother confirms. "I can be anywhere and do my job. I don't want to live far away from you two..." A happy twinkle betrays some inner emotion. "...and if there are going to be grandkids..." She looks you in the eye.

"Uh...I...uh..." You stammer. "We haven't really...uh..."

Elsie finishes your thought. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. And that won't be for a while yet."

Fiona pulls her hand back. "You guys are all moving away? What about me?" You look at her and she gives you a little wink. "Who am I going to tease without you two around?" Then she laughs. "I'm kidding. I'll be fine. Who knows, maybe I'll do my graduate degree somewhere near you guys."

You and Elsie look at one another. The toughest hurdle had been cleared. Nothing could stop you now. You can't help yourself but to come together in a joyful kiss and embrace.

You hear both your mother and Fiona say. "Awwww..."