Author's Note: This is a Mother's Day story, so it's a little late, but I decided to post it anyway. It's just a short one about the TF rangers. I know some of them are more neglected than the others, but it was written quickly and some are just easier to write than others.
Mother
Jen sat on the sofa in the Clock Tower, staring silently into space. Today was Mother's Day, and she was thinking about her mother for the first time in many months. She'd been so preoccupied with catching Ransik and leading the team, she hadn't even thought about anyone back home. Even the one who meant the most to her.
Her and her mother had always been close, they had to be really. They were all each other had in the world for so long. Every Mother's day was celebrated by Jen, doing whatever she could for her best friend, but she could never find the words to say how much her mother really meant to her. She never knew she would regret that so much. . .
Her father had abused them both since Jen was little, first ignoring her and only beating her mother. But once she got older. . . she started getting in the way more, and he started paying more attention to her. That was when they left.
They had nowhere to go, her mother had no family or friends to go to, but she took her daughter away to the city and started a new life for them there. She worked long and hard to give Jen a good life, and she never wanted for anything, ever. She didn't realize until she got a little older how much it took out of her mother. She never complained, she never eased up, she just worked harder and harder to give her daughter whatever she wanted.
Jen took a shaky breath. How she wanted her mother there now! She would give anything just to talk to her, hear her comforting voice telling her everything would be okay. And she would make it okay, just like she always did. Jen didn't even realize she'd missed her so much.
They'd always been able to talk about anything with each other, whatever was on their mind. They were the only one either had to talk to. Jen never had any friends growing up, and her mother was too busy working to make any. So they'd gotten closer, even through the difficult teenage years. Jen always knew who would be there for her.
But not anymore. Her mother wasn't even born yet, she had no idea what her daughter was going through. But if she did. . . what would she say? Would she be proud of what Jen had done, how she had handled things? She could have done so much better. . . everything just went so wrong.
Her mother had been so proud when Jen had decided to join Time Force. The cost never even came up in their conversation, she would provide for whatever was needed. Jen felt bad about it, but she had no money to talk of herself, and he mother wouldn't hear of putting off the Academy until she had more.
It was hard when she left, leaving her. She'd never been away from her for very long, and she suddenly felt very alone. She stayed int he background, never talking to anyone or going anywhere. She did her work, and tried her best, but everything just went wrong. She couldn't finsih any assignment, and she was way behind every other student. She wrote to her mother often, telling her all about it. Each time she recieved encouragement enough to keep her going, but eventually she decided to quit.
And that was when she met Alex. But she couldn't think about him now.
She sighed, standing up. She couldn't think about any of it anymore.
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Trip sat working on his new invention in the foyer of the clock tower, unable to concentrate on anything. They didn't even celebrate Mother's day on Xybria. But the day still had him thinking. Everyone was talking about their mothers, it was all over the TV and in the stores everywhere. He knew the rest of the team was thinking about theirs, and he couldn't get his mind of his.
He missed her so much. He'd never tell any of the others, especially Lucas. He'd think Trip was such a sissy. But he couldn't help it. He hadn't seen her in. . . probably over a year. It had been awhile before they'd left for the past. She lived on another planet, after all, they didn't get to visit much.
On Earth it was the father that the son was supposed to look up to and be closest with, which made sense, considering. But on Xybria things were different. No one understood one Earth, but his mother had meant everything to him. They'd always spent allot of time together, and shge'd taught him everything he knew.
None of the other rangers would be surprised to find out that he was a mommy's boy, would they? They'd probably say it was obvious. But he didn't even care right now. He just wanted to see her.
It had been a long time since he'd seen any of his family, and he wondered how they were. He knew, of course, that technically they weren't anything yet, since none of them were born, but he couldn't help thinking of them as out there somewhere. He just hated to think that he had no family.
He sighed and tried to work on his invention again, but eventually just put it away. he couldn't keep his mind on it.
He thought about the holiday. Mother's Day. A day just for mothers. He missed his enough. . . it must be horrible for people who didn't have one at all. It was probably invented for the right reasons, but it might cause more sadness than anything else.
He thought about his mother. She'd been so involved all his life, from when he was born. She cared about every little thing he did, made big fusses overr the smallest things. And she smiled all the time. That was what he remembered the most. No matter what was going on, she could always manage a smile. It seemed like a small thing, but her smile convinced him that everything would be fine, no matter what was going on.
She would be so proud of him if she knew what he was doing. Of course she'd probably never know, but just knowing how she would feel helped him keep going sometimes. She was always so supportive of his career in Time Force. No one else in the family had ever served, and it was quite a surprise when he decided to. But she'd been thrilled, so happy and proud. If she knew he was a power ranger. . . what would she say?
He smiled a little as he thought about her. As much as he missed her, he could never be too sad while thinking about her. She'd made everyone so happy, she'd never want him to be sad over her. So he'd try not to be.
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Katie looked at the picture of her family and brushed a tear away as it fell down her cheek. She missed them all so much, and especially her mother now. When was she going to see them again? Would she ever?
No, she couldn't start thinking like that again, she had to stay positive. That had almost finished her last time. She had to remember why she was here. . . so she could go back to her family and have everything the same as it was before.
But she couldn't help feeling a little down as she thought about her mother. They'd always been close, just like everyone in the family. They shared so much in common, did everything together. Her mother had even been in Time Force, though she resigned when she had children. They did everything alike, which wasn't entirely accidental.
Katie had always tried to be like her mother, ever since she was little. Her mother was her hero, in everything. She'd always looked to her for guidance, in relationships, school, work, everything. Somehow she always had the answers.
Even though she wasn't there now, Katie knew she was in some way. If no other way, than through her. She couldn't be there if a piece of her mother wasn't. She would always be there, no matter what. She'd always told her that.
Growing up, things were always good for Katie. She never wanted anything, always had plenty of friends and was good at just about everything she tried. At first she'd been a little self-conscious about being so strong. She'd shown off at school her first day, and after that the kids stayed away, calling her "freak" and "mutant". She'd come home crying, and her mother had been there. She'd said that her inner strength was what mattered, and she shouldn't listen to any of them. But she'd also pointed out that Katie shouldn't be showing off anyway.
Katie smiled as she recalled the incident. It seemed liek such a burden at the time, but not anymore, that was for sure. She jsut had to learn when was the appropriate time to use her special abilities. School wasn't the time. Her mother convinced her that it wasn't a bad thing, that she shouldn't try to hide or change who she was, but she didn't need to flaunt it everywhere.
And she was right, as always.
Katie looked up as someone entered the room. It was Lucas. He approached her, concern on his face, "Are you okay, Katie?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I'm all right."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, it's just. . . " she looked down at the picture in her hand, "You know, it's Mother's Day, and I just got thinking."
He nodded, "You and you're mother pretty close?"
"Oh yeah. Best friends. What about you?"
"Not really."
"That's a shame."
"We got along, we were just never that close. Me and my dad were, though."
"Why not you and your mother?"
"Well, you know, she's a girl."
Katie laughed, "So?"
"We had nothing in common."
"I think you'd be surprised. Think about it a little."
He paused, looking at her, "Maybe I will."
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Wes entered the cemetary silently, carrying a bouquet of flowers. He went to the well-known place and knelt down before the headstone, brushing away some of the dirt that had gathered. He placed the flowers on it and sat there quietly, thinking about her.
She had died quite a few years ago, when he was thirteen. They had been as close as any mother and son, not best friends, but he always knew how she felt about him. She thought it was the most important thing, to let people know how you felt. As the years went by he realized that was true.
She had been the bridge between him and his father for years. They'd never really gotten along that well. His father didn't like him doing anything on his own, anything for fun. everything had to have a greater purpose. Eventually he learned to accept it and not argue. But his mother had always been able to sooth the egos and make everyone happy.
He hadn't even realized how much she meant to him. . . until she was gone. He supposed that was how it usually was. How would you know? But he wished he had. He wished he could have told her. . .
He knew his father felt the same way. He never told anyone how he really felt, and he loved her so much. But he only went further away from everyone else he cared about. Wes never understood him. After his mother's death, Wes wanted nothing more than to tell his father how much he cared about him, and hear him say it all back, just to know. But he didn't. He hardly saw his father after that.
He never realized how much he needed a mother by his side, everything she did for him. She was always in the background, never spoke out about much, didn't get flustered or annoyed at anything, even when the two men in the house were enough to drive any woman mad. She was always so calm.
He wiped away a tear as he thought about her. He still couldn't quite believe she was gone sometimes. She had always been there for him, he always knew he could count on her to be on his side. And then she was gone. . . so quickly. He'd never dreamed he'd have to live his life without her.
He was in his room one night, working on his homework, when his father came into the room. He knew right away something was wrong, his father's usually stoic expression was obviously pained. He sat beside Wes on his bed and told him that his mother has been in a car accident, and she'd died. There was no way to soften the message, and he wouldn't know how anyway. It was better to just say it straight out.
Wes was stunned, he couldn't believe it. He couldn't speak, or even move for a few minutes. His father tried to comfort him, but he just wanted to be left alone. She couldn't possibly be gone, he'd thought to himself. He knew if he just didn't accept it, it couldn't possibly be true.
But it was true. They'd had the funeral a few days later, the viewing and wake too. It all felt like a dream. But the dreamer had a harsh awakening. Eventually he realized that it was all real, that she was gone and there was no bringing her back. It was the worst feeling he'd ever had. He just wanted to go to sleep and forget about everything, just sleep and never wake up.
But of course he couldn't. He went on with everything, never took a break from any of it, his father wouldn't let him. He said the best thing to do was keep busy and not think about it. So that's what they did. It was hard, sometimes he didn't know if he even could. She had been his one friend, his supporter and comforter. Now she was gone.
Over the years he had gotten more used to it, he supposed, but it all still seemed so unreal. And now he'd lost his father too. . . what would she think if she saw them today? She'd be dissapointed, no doubt, in what they'd done to each other. But what could he do about it now? His father didn't want anything to do with him. She would understand, like she always did.
He stood slowly and stared at the grave. He missed her so much.
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Lucas left the clock tower and walked slowly down the street, thinking about what Katie had said. It was true, he and his mother had never been close. He and his father had always done everything together, and his sisters were with their mother. That was just how it was, it seemed right. He'd hardly ever given a thought to her.
But since it was Mother's day and all, he would. It seemed right to have her on his mind, even though she really wasn't even around yet.
His mother was a young woman, full of energy and spirit, just like his sisters all were. Lucas was nothing like her. She had allot to say, was never afraid to say it, and enjoyed company and companionship. Her friends were always over, it seemed, and she never tired of entertaining them. Lucas had never liked it when they were over, and he'd always gone outside somewhere to get away from all the talking and noise. Actually, it seemed he'd avoided his mother allot. She always kind of embarrased him when she was around, she was so outgoing.
Looking back, he felt a little regret at it. She surely noticed that he never wanted her around, especially in front of his friends. Now she was gone, completely. He thought for the first time of never seeing her again, and it bothered him more than he expected. What if they never did get back to the future? Or it was changed so much that nothing was the same as it had been at all?
He took a deep breath, trying not to think about that. he couldn't let those kind of thoughts get to him, or he'd never get through it. He had to think that he would see them all again, and get to talk to them, tell them things.
He turned his thoughts back to how things used to be. He'd always thought his mother was just there for her daughters, he had no need of her. But now that he really thought about it, he was wrong. It had always been her that had come to his aid, no matter what it was. When he was little, it was cuts and bruises, a lost cat, little things. When he got older, things got a little more serious, but no matter what it was or how serious it really was, she was always the one to comfort him and make things better.
When he went off to the Academy, not long ago, she had been the one to write him and send him whatever he needed. His father had sent words or encouragement, along with the rest of the family, but his mother had worried over him, come to visit when she could, and make sure he had everything he needed or wanted- everything that was allowed, and some that wasn't. He'd been a little annoyed at her at the time, he kind of wanted to be left alone a little. The instructors were amused by his mothers concern and never let him alone about it.
But she was just worried about him, he realized. She was trying to make his life as good as it could be, to make him comfortable and less homesick- which only she could even tell he was. Without her. . . his stay at the Academy wouldn't have been so easy really. Sure, the Instructors gave him a hard time, but really. . . he appreciated it all now. If only he could tell her that.
He hadn't even paid any notice this morning when he saw Mother's Day on the calendar, but now he wanted nothing more than to see her, and talk to her. he had no idea what he would say, but he wanted to say something. Tell her that he was grateful for everything she'd done, all the cuts and bruises she's tended, everything. But he couldn't.
He wondered if everyone else was feeling the same way today. But the other three had been close with their mothers, they'd said. At least they knew that. Before today he'd hardly even thought about his. And why today? It wasn't like he'd found out anything different, he just remembered things he already knew, and most things he didn't even like at the time. Must be the holiday.
He turned and headed back to the clock tower. Maybe he'd talk to his friends about it. Or just listen to them, that was what he usually did.
He saw Wes coming toward him, heading for the same place. "Hey," he said.
"Hey," replied Wes quietly. His eyes were red and he looked upset, but he smiled anyway.
"Are you okay?" asked Lucas.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied.
"You sure? What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I. . . " he paused, then looked at Lucas, "How about we talk about it inside?"
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Mother
Jen sat on the sofa in the Clock Tower, staring silently into space. Today was Mother's Day, and she was thinking about her mother for the first time in many months. She'd been so preoccupied with catching Ransik and leading the team, she hadn't even thought about anyone back home. Even the one who meant the most to her.
Her and her mother had always been close, they had to be really. They were all each other had in the world for so long. Every Mother's day was celebrated by Jen, doing whatever she could for her best friend, but she could never find the words to say how much her mother really meant to her. She never knew she would regret that so much. . .
Her father had abused them both since Jen was little, first ignoring her and only beating her mother. But once she got older. . . she started getting in the way more, and he started paying more attention to her. That was when they left.
They had nowhere to go, her mother had no family or friends to go to, but she took her daughter away to the city and started a new life for them there. She worked long and hard to give Jen a good life, and she never wanted for anything, ever. She didn't realize until she got a little older how much it took out of her mother. She never complained, she never eased up, she just worked harder and harder to give her daughter whatever she wanted.
Jen took a shaky breath. How she wanted her mother there now! She would give anything just to talk to her, hear her comforting voice telling her everything would be okay. And she would make it okay, just like she always did. Jen didn't even realize she'd missed her so much.
They'd always been able to talk about anything with each other, whatever was on their mind. They were the only one either had to talk to. Jen never had any friends growing up, and her mother was too busy working to make any. So they'd gotten closer, even through the difficult teenage years. Jen always knew who would be there for her.
But not anymore. Her mother wasn't even born yet, she had no idea what her daughter was going through. But if she did. . . what would she say? Would she be proud of what Jen had done, how she had handled things? She could have done so much better. . . everything just went so wrong.
Her mother had been so proud when Jen had decided to join Time Force. The cost never even came up in their conversation, she would provide for whatever was needed. Jen felt bad about it, but she had no money to talk of herself, and he mother wouldn't hear of putting off the Academy until she had more.
It was hard when she left, leaving her. She'd never been away from her for very long, and she suddenly felt very alone. She stayed int he background, never talking to anyone or going anywhere. She did her work, and tried her best, but everything just went wrong. She couldn't finsih any assignment, and she was way behind every other student. She wrote to her mother often, telling her all about it. Each time she recieved encouragement enough to keep her going, but eventually she decided to quit.
And that was when she met Alex. But she couldn't think about him now.
She sighed, standing up. She couldn't think about any of it anymore.
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Trip sat working on his new invention in the foyer of the clock tower, unable to concentrate on anything. They didn't even celebrate Mother's day on Xybria. But the day still had him thinking. Everyone was talking about their mothers, it was all over the TV and in the stores everywhere. He knew the rest of the team was thinking about theirs, and he couldn't get his mind of his.
He missed her so much. He'd never tell any of the others, especially Lucas. He'd think Trip was such a sissy. But he couldn't help it. He hadn't seen her in. . . probably over a year. It had been awhile before they'd left for the past. She lived on another planet, after all, they didn't get to visit much.
On Earth it was the father that the son was supposed to look up to and be closest with, which made sense, considering. But on Xybria things were different. No one understood one Earth, but his mother had meant everything to him. They'd always spent allot of time together, and shge'd taught him everything he knew.
None of the other rangers would be surprised to find out that he was a mommy's boy, would they? They'd probably say it was obvious. But he didn't even care right now. He just wanted to see her.
It had been a long time since he'd seen any of his family, and he wondered how they were. He knew, of course, that technically they weren't anything yet, since none of them were born, but he couldn't help thinking of them as out there somewhere. He just hated to think that he had no family.
He sighed and tried to work on his invention again, but eventually just put it away. he couldn't keep his mind on it.
He thought about the holiday. Mother's Day. A day just for mothers. He missed his enough. . . it must be horrible for people who didn't have one at all. It was probably invented for the right reasons, but it might cause more sadness than anything else.
He thought about his mother. She'd been so involved all his life, from when he was born. She cared about every little thing he did, made big fusses overr the smallest things. And she smiled all the time. That was what he remembered the most. No matter what was going on, she could always manage a smile. It seemed like a small thing, but her smile convinced him that everything would be fine, no matter what was going on.
She would be so proud of him if she knew what he was doing. Of course she'd probably never know, but just knowing how she would feel helped him keep going sometimes. She was always so supportive of his career in Time Force. No one else in the family had ever served, and it was quite a surprise when he decided to. But she'd been thrilled, so happy and proud. If she knew he was a power ranger. . . what would she say?
He smiled a little as he thought about her. As much as he missed her, he could never be too sad while thinking about her. She'd made everyone so happy, she'd never want him to be sad over her. So he'd try not to be.
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Katie looked at the picture of her family and brushed a tear away as it fell down her cheek. She missed them all so much, and especially her mother now. When was she going to see them again? Would she ever?
No, she couldn't start thinking like that again, she had to stay positive. That had almost finished her last time. She had to remember why she was here. . . so she could go back to her family and have everything the same as it was before.
But she couldn't help feeling a little down as she thought about her mother. They'd always been close, just like everyone in the family. They shared so much in common, did everything together. Her mother had even been in Time Force, though she resigned when she had children. They did everything alike, which wasn't entirely accidental.
Katie had always tried to be like her mother, ever since she was little. Her mother was her hero, in everything. She'd always looked to her for guidance, in relationships, school, work, everything. Somehow she always had the answers.
Even though she wasn't there now, Katie knew she was in some way. If no other way, than through her. She couldn't be there if a piece of her mother wasn't. She would always be there, no matter what. She'd always told her that.
Growing up, things were always good for Katie. She never wanted anything, always had plenty of friends and was good at just about everything she tried. At first she'd been a little self-conscious about being so strong. She'd shown off at school her first day, and after that the kids stayed away, calling her "freak" and "mutant". She'd come home crying, and her mother had been there. She'd said that her inner strength was what mattered, and she shouldn't listen to any of them. But she'd also pointed out that Katie shouldn't be showing off anyway.
Katie smiled as she recalled the incident. It seemed liek such a burden at the time, but not anymore, that was for sure. She jsut had to learn when was the appropriate time to use her special abilities. School wasn't the time. Her mother convinced her that it wasn't a bad thing, that she shouldn't try to hide or change who she was, but she didn't need to flaunt it everywhere.
And she was right, as always.
Katie looked up as someone entered the room. It was Lucas. He approached her, concern on his face, "Are you okay, Katie?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I'm all right."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, it's just. . . " she looked down at the picture in her hand, "You know, it's Mother's Day, and I just got thinking."
He nodded, "You and you're mother pretty close?"
"Oh yeah. Best friends. What about you?"
"Not really."
"That's a shame."
"We got along, we were just never that close. Me and my dad were, though."
"Why not you and your mother?"
"Well, you know, she's a girl."
Katie laughed, "So?"
"We had nothing in common."
"I think you'd be surprised. Think about it a little."
He paused, looking at her, "Maybe I will."
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Wes entered the cemetary silently, carrying a bouquet of flowers. He went to the well-known place and knelt down before the headstone, brushing away some of the dirt that had gathered. He placed the flowers on it and sat there quietly, thinking about her.
She had died quite a few years ago, when he was thirteen. They had been as close as any mother and son, not best friends, but he always knew how she felt about him. She thought it was the most important thing, to let people know how you felt. As the years went by he realized that was true.
She had been the bridge between him and his father for years. They'd never really gotten along that well. His father didn't like him doing anything on his own, anything for fun. everything had to have a greater purpose. Eventually he learned to accept it and not argue. But his mother had always been able to sooth the egos and make everyone happy.
He hadn't even realized how much she meant to him. . . until she was gone. He supposed that was how it usually was. How would you know? But he wished he had. He wished he could have told her. . .
He knew his father felt the same way. He never told anyone how he really felt, and he loved her so much. But he only went further away from everyone else he cared about. Wes never understood him. After his mother's death, Wes wanted nothing more than to tell his father how much he cared about him, and hear him say it all back, just to know. But he didn't. He hardly saw his father after that.
He never realized how much he needed a mother by his side, everything she did for him. She was always in the background, never spoke out about much, didn't get flustered or annoyed at anything, even when the two men in the house were enough to drive any woman mad. She was always so calm.
He wiped away a tear as he thought about her. He still couldn't quite believe she was gone sometimes. She had always been there for him, he always knew he could count on her to be on his side. And then she was gone. . . so quickly. He'd never dreamed he'd have to live his life without her.
He was in his room one night, working on his homework, when his father came into the room. He knew right away something was wrong, his father's usually stoic expression was obviously pained. He sat beside Wes on his bed and told him that his mother has been in a car accident, and she'd died. There was no way to soften the message, and he wouldn't know how anyway. It was better to just say it straight out.
Wes was stunned, he couldn't believe it. He couldn't speak, or even move for a few minutes. His father tried to comfort him, but he just wanted to be left alone. She couldn't possibly be gone, he'd thought to himself. He knew if he just didn't accept it, it couldn't possibly be true.
But it was true. They'd had the funeral a few days later, the viewing and wake too. It all felt like a dream. But the dreamer had a harsh awakening. Eventually he realized that it was all real, that she was gone and there was no bringing her back. It was the worst feeling he'd ever had. He just wanted to go to sleep and forget about everything, just sleep and never wake up.
But of course he couldn't. He went on with everything, never took a break from any of it, his father wouldn't let him. He said the best thing to do was keep busy and not think about it. So that's what they did. It was hard, sometimes he didn't know if he even could. She had been his one friend, his supporter and comforter. Now she was gone.
Over the years he had gotten more used to it, he supposed, but it all still seemed so unreal. And now he'd lost his father too. . . what would she think if she saw them today? She'd be dissapointed, no doubt, in what they'd done to each other. But what could he do about it now? His father didn't want anything to do with him. She would understand, like she always did.
He stood slowly and stared at the grave. He missed her so much.
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Lucas left the clock tower and walked slowly down the street, thinking about what Katie had said. It was true, he and his mother had never been close. He and his father had always done everything together, and his sisters were with their mother. That was just how it was, it seemed right. He'd hardly ever given a thought to her.
But since it was Mother's day and all, he would. It seemed right to have her on his mind, even though she really wasn't even around yet.
His mother was a young woman, full of energy and spirit, just like his sisters all were. Lucas was nothing like her. She had allot to say, was never afraid to say it, and enjoyed company and companionship. Her friends were always over, it seemed, and she never tired of entertaining them. Lucas had never liked it when they were over, and he'd always gone outside somewhere to get away from all the talking and noise. Actually, it seemed he'd avoided his mother allot. She always kind of embarrased him when she was around, she was so outgoing.
Looking back, he felt a little regret at it. She surely noticed that he never wanted her around, especially in front of his friends. Now she was gone, completely. He thought for the first time of never seeing her again, and it bothered him more than he expected. What if they never did get back to the future? Or it was changed so much that nothing was the same as it had been at all?
He took a deep breath, trying not to think about that. he couldn't let those kind of thoughts get to him, or he'd never get through it. He had to think that he would see them all again, and get to talk to them, tell them things.
He turned his thoughts back to how things used to be. He'd always thought his mother was just there for her daughters, he had no need of her. But now that he really thought about it, he was wrong. It had always been her that had come to his aid, no matter what it was. When he was little, it was cuts and bruises, a lost cat, little things. When he got older, things got a little more serious, but no matter what it was or how serious it really was, she was always the one to comfort him and make things better.
When he went off to the Academy, not long ago, she had been the one to write him and send him whatever he needed. His father had sent words or encouragement, along with the rest of the family, but his mother had worried over him, come to visit when she could, and make sure he had everything he needed or wanted- everything that was allowed, and some that wasn't. He'd been a little annoyed at her at the time, he kind of wanted to be left alone a little. The instructors were amused by his mothers concern and never let him alone about it.
But she was just worried about him, he realized. She was trying to make his life as good as it could be, to make him comfortable and less homesick- which only she could even tell he was. Without her. . . his stay at the Academy wouldn't have been so easy really. Sure, the Instructors gave him a hard time, but really. . . he appreciated it all now. If only he could tell her that.
He hadn't even paid any notice this morning when he saw Mother's Day on the calendar, but now he wanted nothing more than to see her, and talk to her. he had no idea what he would say, but he wanted to say something. Tell her that he was grateful for everything she'd done, all the cuts and bruises she's tended, everything. But he couldn't.
He wondered if everyone else was feeling the same way today. But the other three had been close with their mothers, they'd said. At least they knew that. Before today he'd hardly even thought about his. And why today? It wasn't like he'd found out anything different, he just remembered things he already knew, and most things he didn't even like at the time. Must be the holiday.
He turned and headed back to the clock tower. Maybe he'd talk to his friends about it. Or just listen to them, that was what he usually did.
He saw Wes coming toward him, heading for the same place. "Hey," he said.
"Hey," replied Wes quietly. His eyes were red and he looked upset, but he smiled anyway.
"Are you okay?" asked Lucas.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied.
"You sure? What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I. . . " he paused, then looked at Lucas, "How about we talk about it inside?"
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