Spencer Reid leaned back into the seat of the jet. After another successful case, he was tired and ready for sleep. However, he had one last thing to do before he could call it a day. He had to write his daily letter to his mother.
The rest of the team had become accustomed to see Spencer with a notepad in his lap and pen in his hand. These were the times when he seemed to be in a cubicle rather than across from his teammates.
Dear Mom,
Today I helped rescue a girl from her kidnappers in sunny Arizona. It's so hot there- even hotter than it is back home. Especially during the summer months. It was nice, though. Despite the heat. Honestly, I'm just glad to be on the way home.
His cell phone rang. He pushed the answer button, relaxed. "Dr. Reid."
"Hello Dr. Reid, this is Tiffany from the Bennington Sanitarium."
The words made him shoot up and tense in half a second. "Is everything okay?"
"Your Mother is fine, she's just refusing her medication and demanded to talk to you."
He relaxed slightly. "I'll talk to her." He got up and went to the back of the jet for some privacy.
There was a pause. "Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Spencer, are you okay?"
He furrowed his brow. "I'm fine. Why?"
"Is someone making you say that?" Her tone was sharp. "You know you can tell me if they are."
"I promise, Mom. Nobody is making me say anything."
She paused, and he took the opportunity to speak.
"Mom, you raised me. You know that you can trust me. The voices are lying to you. The medication helps make them go away."
Diana sighed. "I miss you, sweetheart."
It broke his heart to hear the words he thought of all the time. A lump formed in his throat, and he tried to swallow it. He failed. He closed his eyes and tried to maintain his composure.
"I miss you, too. Please will you take your medication for me?"
Diana paused and took in a deep breath. "Alright, baby. I'll take them for you."
"Thank you, Momma."
"I love you, Spencer."
"I love you too."
"Bye, honey."
"Bye, Mom."
The nurse came on the line. "Thank you, Dr. Reid."
"Anytime."
He hung up, put his phone in his pocket, then went into the restroom. He could feel his mask of indifference beginning to chip away. He looked at his face in the mirror, saddened by his mother's condition. He thought that after all this time he would be immune to the disappointment it brought him, but it never failed to make him hurt inside. A few tears leaked from his eyes, and he sobbed quietly for five minutes before putting his mask back in place.
He went out confidently, clearly compensating for his abrupt departure. He didn't speak when he sat back down. He went back to writing his letter to his mother, but changed the tone.
I miss you. It's been a while since my last visit. The next chance I get I'll come to the sanitarium. I'm really proud that you took your medication. I know it's scary when the voices tell you that their poisoned, but I'm just glad you didn't listen to them. You know I'll be there when you need me. If not physically then in spirit. Goodnight Mom, I love you.
All My Love,
Spencer.