Title:
Ladybug
Author: jenbachand
Format: Flash Fiction
Rating: General
Pairing:
Grissom/Sara
Disclaimer: I made no profit from the writing
of this fic.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Grissom
finds a treasure.
A/N: For the suitcase prompt. Beta work
done by the wonderful mingsmommy.
The feel of the old leather handle in his hand brought to mind memories of the first time he had taken a long journey with his mother.
They had gone to the Midwest to visit their extended family. Otosclerosis being what it was, about half of the family was either deaf or had hearing problems. Everyone knew sign language though, and he had felt more at ease that summer than at any other time in his life. While it had not been the overwhelming silence he was used to at home, it was probably one of the quietest summer vacations in the history of teenaged boys.
It had suited him just fine.
This one aged suitcase was a treasure chest of things removed from his mother's house that had little value to anyone but himself and the woman who had raised him. While searching the hall closet for his black dress shoes, his hand had brushed upon the worn leather case. He was swallowed whole in the memories once he dragged the case out into the living room.
When Sara got home, she found him glassy eyed and smiling at the frame in his hands. She put her arm around his back as she slid onto the couch next to him. He smiled at her and handed the framed ladybug drawing to her. In a child's careful script, in the corner was written GIL 1961.
"Mom always said I was the best artist she knew." There was a smile in his voice.
Sara had seen pictures of his mother before, but never this quantity of Grissom family photos. Contained within the classic tan suitcase were also children's books, drawings, report cards, and school awards.
"I bet you were the apple of her eye." Sara's voice was melancholy. If not for demons and alcohol, she might have had at least one parent be as proud of her as Mrs. Grissom had been of her child. She might have at least had more than a backpack full of whatever items she could keep from being stolen at the foster homes she had resided in.
"Mom would have thought capturing your heart to be my greatest accomplishment," Grissom said as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.