When she had gone to bed, she knew what day she would wake up in. So did he. He knocked on her bedroom door, dressed in a suit and tie, his hair neatly combed back. "Ready, Carls?" he asked as she opened the door. She nodded, her tear stained cheeks pink. He opened his arms, and she fell into them, her head against his chest. "Why, Spencer?" she sobbed. "I don't know, Carly," he answered. "I don't know."
They stood in the doorway for awhile, overcome by memories and pain. Finally, Carly raised her face. "Okay," she whispered. "Okay, I'm ready." They left the apartment, and walked down the streets of Seattle, so quiet this early in the morning. Both of them knew the way by heart, and didn't speak until they approached the cemetery. Quietly, they walked the well-known path to the white headstone of Lily Shay, beloved wife, mother, and friend. Carly sank to her knees, touching the ground beneath it, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.
Spencer looked up at the sky. The cemetery had little meaning to him. He didn't believe his wonderful, beautiful mother to be laying under the ground, amidst the worms and bugs. He gazed upwards, at the white puffs of cloud and the clear blue sky…at his mom's new home. "Hi, Mom," he said softly. "It's me, Spencer. How's it going up there? Me and Carly are doing fine. You'd be so proud of her, Mom. We miss you. So, so much. I'm doing art now. I know that you and Dad hoped I would become a lawyer. But I just couldn't do it. Ripping people apart like that? Muddying the truth until you don't know anymore? I love art, Mom. I don't think you'd be surprised. Remember when you showed me how to finger paint? That's where it all started. I'm not rich, Mom. But I'm happy. I'm really happy, Mom. Look over us, okay? And keep Dad safe. Mom? Help him, okay? He misses you so much. I think it is hard for him to see me and Carly because we remind him of you. Help him, Mom. Because we need him. We really do. I love you, Mom. Happy mother's day," he whispered at the sky.
On her knees, Carly was running fingers over the letters of the cold headstone. "I love you, Mama," she sobbed. "Watch over us. I miss you, Mama. Happy mother's day." She wiped the tears from her eyes, and stood up. "Okay, Spence. Let's go," she said quietly.
They walked back to the apartment, lost in their own worlds, until Spencer looked over at Carly, so grown up, so much older. She looked up at him, and gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks, Spencer."