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Parent Up
Isaac
"Grey?" His voice is quiet and shaky as he shatters the silence we've been sharing.
"It's my last name."
"Oh... What's my last name?" I swallow and take a deep breath trying to decide if I should answer him.
"Boyd, your last name is Boyd." Luckily it's not me who has to answer him. I look up and see Madilynn standing at the door. Her eyes meet mine and she gives me a weak smile. "At least he remembers you, Isaac."
"You're my mom right?" Thomas deadpans and I watch as the tears threaten to overflow down Maddies cheeks.
"Yes, yes I am your mom. My name is Madilynn Holly Anderson-Boyd. Your name is Thomas Alexander Boyd."
"Do I have a dad?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colin Kenneth Boyd." She closes her eyes and takes a breath. I know how hard it is for her to talk about Colin. "He." She stops for another second. I can tell she's just barely keeping herself together. "He was in the Marines."
"He was?" Maddie looks like she's about to cry. I see a stray tear sneak its way down her cheek. Thomas must see it too because he lowers his head to stare at his sheets.
"Listen, I just need some time with my son, to try and figure things out." Maddie says meeting my eyes.
Thomas takes a deep breath. "Newt." I pat him on the leg.
"It'll be okay. I'll come back later." I push myself off the bed and straighten up. Then I look at Thomas and his eyes are full of worry so I give him a light smile and lean down to whisper directly into his ear. "She's a good person and she loves you. She's tough as nails and she's been through hell and back for you, so be nice, don't sass her too much and listen to everything she says." I straighten and begin to walk out of the room. As I walk past her, Maddie grabs my arm and her eyes shine with her determination, but also her knowledge that Thomas needs me, and I need him.
"Its fine, I'll go meet up with Bert or someone." She nods and releases my arm. I walk out of the room and down the stairs, not bothering to glance past the kitchen as I exit the house.
Thomas
I just stare at the door that Newt walked out of. Why did I let him do that? I need him here as much as I need air. My eyes meet my mom's and I look away instantly. It's too strange, to suddenly have a mother. I stare at the blanket between my hands and begin attempting to twis it. I don't know what to do. I just sit there and stare at my motioinless hands.
"Thomas?" Long fingers rest on mine. I feel the roughness of her. The calluses of work, the dryness of long hours. I see the dirt, resting under her short, unpainted nails. Small cuts and nicks that most would not notice catch my eye. She must be a gardener. I flick my gaze up to meet her hard features.
She's got high cheekbones and a smaller nose. Her mouth looks well worn, like the rest of her. I don't see my resemblance to her until I really look at her eyes. They've got the same shape that mine do, but to my surprise, hers are storm cloud grey.
"I don't know you." I say in a shaky voice, suddenly nervous.
"I know, baby, I know. But that doesn't matter, because I know you, Tom Cat." The nickname pings something in me, something long and forgotten that feels like someone's sticking a needle in my heart. She seems so kind, so loving, yet tough and rough around the edges. I want her to be my mom, I want to love her.
Isaac
I try not to slam the door to my pale blue prius as I get into the driver's seat. I put my hands on the wheel and stare forward. He's awake. My best friend is awake, and he doesn't remember anything. I bang my head into the wheel and accidentally set the horn off. I look around, having startled myself. No one seems to notice. I then take a deep breath, turn the key in the ignition, switch to reverse and pull out of the overly familiar driveway. I'm driving for maybe five minutes before my Bluetooth picks up a call.
"Grey." I answer automatically, not bothering to check who it is.
"Where did you go? You said you were going home." It's Bert and my heart gives out an involentary flutter, my boyfriend's voice always relaxes me.
"I ended up going to Thomas'. He woke up. And how do you know I'm not home?"
"Because I'm sitting in your driveway. No one's home."
"Give me ten minutes, I'll be there as fast as I can."
"I'll be inside." He whispers in a dark voice that sends shivers down my spine then hangs up. I need to get home, now. My foot becomes lead and I push my car, not caring about anything else, defensive driving be damned.