Jim sat on the roof of the Benbow Inn, glancing into the small window to watch his mom finish cleaning every so often. Even after three years, the roof was still his favorite place to hang out when he needed to be alone. The quiet peacefulness was the perfect way to end his day.
It was the summer break after his first year at the Interstellar Academy, and he was just getting used to life back home. No matter how much he loved hanging out with his friends at the academy, it was great to get to relax a little. They had him working all the time, but he still loved everything about the academy. All the new technology and equipment he was dying to get his hands on since day one. Also, his recommendation from Captain Amelia gave him a good reputation, and many of the instructors liked him as well. He even enjoyed doing the homework, and excelled marvelously in all of the programs they offered. Many of the teachers were amazed at how well he caught onto things. Some even said it was like it was a natural gift for Jim; that he was born to sail. He was just glad that his mom seemed to be a little more tolerant of his usual slaking off. He was so worn out from all his hard work that these first few weeks had been filled with mostly sleep.
As Jim gazed at the sky, watching the sun set and the stars appear, he could remember the night that he left for the academy with Delbert. At first he felt bad for leaving his mom to go all the way to the academy, but when he came home, he found that she and Amelia had become really good friends. Especially now with the babies, well kittens and puppy, Amelia was more than happy to get a little help from a mother. Sarah seemed to have the perfect motherly habits and was an excellent teacher, adoring all the children as if they were her own. That's most likely why Delbert and Amelia asked Sarah to be the children's godmother, a title which she gladly accepted. Thinking about his mom made the smallest smile light up Jim's face. Ever since his dad left he tried to be there for her, but he couldn't do everything right. In the end, it seemed to Jim as if everything worked out. They really did seem like a family now.
After a while, it started to rain and Jim knew his mom would be angry if he got all wet, especially on the new rugs she had bought a week ago. He leapt carefully from the edge of the rooftop, landing somewhat gracefully on his hands and knees. Shaking himself off a little, he trudged through the rain and back to the front door lost in thought, almost running into a customer who was on his way out. With a murmured "sorry," Jim squeezed into the doorway and hung his jacket up to dry.
Wiping his feet and rubbing his neck, he walked slowly into the dining area, and continued to the stairs that led to his room when he was stopped by a soft hand on his shoulder.
Jim turned to see his mom looking at him with an unhappy expression.
Guiltily, he rubbed his neck while trying to get out of this one. His mom always used that look when he was in trouble. "Oh, hey mum, sorry, I was just gonna go to bed, so, yeah," Jim nervously explained, hoping his mom wouldn't yell at him. He knew he should be doing twice as much as he was, but B.E.N really helped out and even though he wasn't before, saying the word "bed" seemed to have suddenly made him really tired.
To Jim's surprise, his mom wasn't mad at all, Sarah sighed quietly, "Sorry, Jim, but I was wondering if you would go into town and get a few things for the Inn, I wouldn't send you out in this weather if I didn't have to, bu-"
"It's fine, I actually like the rain, and it's not really that bad." He reassured her, not liking to see her anything but happy. He just had that naturally protective instinct ever since his dad had left.
She huffed lightly with a small smile on her face, "Thanks Jimmy, love you," Sarah replied before kissing Jim on the cheek and handing him a slip of paper and some money, "Here's a list," then she went back to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes.
Sighing softly, Jim walked back to the door and shrugged his jacket on again before heading out into the rain. Even if he was tired now, the least he could do for his mom was get her some supplies. Besides, it was too early for someone who was slacking and resting all day to go to sleep. It was still light out, and he figured if he hurried, he might be able to get everything before it got too late and dark.
Please leave a review with anything I could improve on, but try to be gentle because this is only my second story. Of, course I don't and will never own Treasure Planet. Thanks for reading ^J^