Is a disclaimer really necessary? I am a random woman with a computer and an imagination.
Where does this fit in the story? I'm just sure it happened – that's all.
"Once a Mother . . ."
Only Peg understood him for what he was: a lonely young man, whose one desire was to be loved. After Kim left the house with Jim – yet again, Edward paced incessantly. The tension in his body was building to a breaking point. His eyes were so pained. Peg thought, at times, that he might cry – if he could. Could he? She did not know.
This particular evening found Edward staring, bereft, out of the living room window. No doubt, he was longing for Kim.
"Edward," Peg whispered from her seat on the white couch, "come sit by me."
Edward turned and looked at her, as if, only just now noticing that she was in the room. Peg was so kind. He had never had a mother, but it was nice to imagine that she would have been just like Peg.
With shuffling steps, he slowly made his way to obey her request. Stiffly, he took a seat by her side and did his best to return her smile.
"Edward," Peg whispered again and ran a gentle hand through his unruly hair.
Edward closed his eyes, something inside him slipping. He was unused to soft touches – since Father died.
Carefully, Peg put her arms around him and tried to draw him to her breast – a loving gesture she reserved only for her own dear children.
With sudden fierceness, Edward pulled away. "No!" he cried, anguish in his otherwise, soft voice. "I'll hurt you!"
Peg said nothing. But she knew his pain was too great for her to allow him to endure it alone. For a moment, her eyes searched Edward's scarred yet beautiful face. Then, she took him by the wrists and placed his long, bladed hands across her lap. Edward's dark eyes followed her soft hands as she did this. Then, this time, giving him no choice, Peg turned toward him and pulled Edward into a fierce embrace.
Edward tensed for a moment, sure that her actions would result in bloodshed. Then, in stunned silence, he realized he had done no harm. Safe against her, Edward felt himself relax. Slowly, he allowed himself to become aware of the sound of her breathing – her heartbeat. It reminded him of his beloved father. His father did not fear him either. His father would hold him and tell him stories; sing to him of a love he once called his own. Edward's thoughts continued to drift from his father, to sweet Peg, and to lovely Kim. His vision began to swim in a way he did not understand. He shut his eyes tight and was soon asleep in this new-found mother's arms.
Peg sat for a long time stroking Edward's hair. The sleeping Edward was heavy and surprisingly warm in her arms. She hugged him closer, studying his peaceful face. Only then did she notice it and knew for certain at last. A single tear made its way down Edward's pale, ruined cheek. Peg brushed it away and pressed her lips to the young man's forehead. If only all of his suffering could be wiped away so easily.