Holly remains stubborn

"Honestly, its nothing. Its not your problem, ok" Holly replied clutching the documents tight.

"Mom, please, whatever it is I deserve to know. I can see my name right there" Ed pointed out.

A look of irritation crossed her face which was followed by a sigh of resignation "trust me son, this is my problem to fix. Its really not your concern."

"Mom" Ed replied staring intently at her.

Holly smiled "thats the same look you used to give me when you would demand ice cream after nursery" she sighed "so long ago...."

Ed reached across the table and held Holly's hand "mom, please, I have a right to know" he pleaded.

Holly smiled wistfully "And I have the right to protect my son, you might think you've grown up but you're still my little man. You always will be."

Ed blushed "I know mum, but I have to protect you. Whatever it is I can fix it, I know you have always been there for me but I am an adult, remember, please, let me do this. Just tell me what it is, I can't let you be responsible for whatever's on the letter, I can see my name right there and that you're upset, its not rocket science. I can't let you let you always fight my battles."

Holly looked across the table and saw the confused little boy who lost his father all those years ago and had vowed to always love and protect her. After the devastation of suddenly becoming a widow and single mom she had done everything she could to shelter her son from the harsh realities of life but it had got more and more difficult to do so in recent years as he turned from cute boy to awkward teen to the man before her. All she wanted to do was be a good mom and she would continue to protect him as best she could for as long as she could, it was a mothers perogative. "I'm still the only adult here. Let me deal with this, I'll be back tonight" she declared firmly before standing up and leaving the house to avoid further discussion for the moment, she made sure that she took the documents with her.

"What! No! Wait!" Ed demanded as she left. He sat alone in the kitchen, he had wanted to grab the papers from Holly and see for himself but had no desire to antagonize his already distraught mom. He wondered to himself who was best placed to help him find out exactly what was going on.