Chapter Three: Sunsets
It was like walking back in time, the little old farmer house was just as it was. Dad must have kept up with it, there was a porch rockin' chairs where mum would sit and sing while she knit. Inside, mum must hast redecorated a little bit, the wall paper was new neutral sand color, but right now he had to clean up. His blood was dripping onto his shirt. Washing up, Nigel could hear his father walking inside and side with annoyance. If it wasn't for his mum, Nigel would be back with the team, shooting up those bastard BLUs.
"You a'right?" his father asked, standing outside the bathroom door.
"Yeah . . ." Nigel acted like he didn't see him, wiping the blood off and throwing out the tissues. "What's wrong with mum?" Nigel asked, "and who's the bitch?" he ask, his voice was nonchalant.
"The girl's name is Jodie, I hired her to care for the animals while I take care of your mother" Ed started to scratch the back of his head and sighed heavily, "Ahhh but yer mum . . . she . . . she aint doin' to well Nigel. . . It started off a couple weeks ago she wasn't feelin' to good, havin' headaches, trouble remembering things . . . then last Tuesday, yer mum had a seizure, She has a brain tumor Nigel and it's grown pretty big . . . "
Nigel couldn't even speak; his mum meant so much to him. She was the only one who didn't mind his . . . career, still loved him and treated him like everyone else, as her son. Dad on the other hand . . .
"Now I know you don't much care about killin or people dyin' and shit, but the doctor's said she only has about a year left"
Nigel ignored that. "But what about that . . . that radioactive crap they're always goin' on about?"
Ed shook his head, "they called this morning and confirmed her tests, said even with treatment she would only have about a year or so to live".
"Where is she, dad?"
"Out in the back porch, getting some fresh air, she'll be wanting to see you".
There was an awkward silence, as if something should be said but Nigel merely nodded and his father walked away.
Walking to the back of the house, the Sniper could already hear his mother's singing. She wasn't singing anything in particular, just singing a tune as she sat on the back porch swing. The creaks going along with her light tune and matched her well in the setting sun. Her hair down and eyes closed as she listened to the wind, Nigel smiled.
"Hello mum . . ."
"Nigel!" his mum sounded so happy, so normal. He couldn't believe something was killing her right as they spoke, like an invisible Spy slowly stabbing her and she couldn't feel a thing. "Oh how are you Ni-gee?"
"Been better" he smiled and moved to sit down next to his mother. "How are you feeling mum?"
She smiled and patted the Sniper's hand, "I'm fine Nigel, I want to know if your alright, eatin' well and all that eh?" She smiled again and looked out. "I heard a bit of hoo-ha out there. Was there a scrap between you and your father again?" she asked, Sniper could tell her voice was getting discouraged.
"No no mum, I was just well . . . meeting that Jodie girl" last thing Sniper wanted was to upset his mother with another fight with his father.
"Ah!" she giggled, "I see, well she's a sweet girl, but I want to know what you've been doing Ni-gee, you don't come home all that often. I worry about you and what could happen." She sighed softly, tightening her grip on his hand. "You're my little ankle biter."
Nigel smiled and rolled his eyes playfully "I'm a grown man, mum" he laughed.
"So?" His mother quirked an eyebrow and looked up at him. "I'm still your mum, right?"
Nigel smiled, but looking out at the sunset, he wondered what he should say. "Well, not much has happened . . ." he said starting to go into his day with the team, keeping it light and happy. He started to tell her about how they were trying o keep BLU for stealing their information. How the Pyro had done a great job as a spy checker. Those little devils just going invisible and knocking you out, I mean he couldn't say how many Demo men we went through this week, that bastard BLU spy. She's dying for Christ's sake. "Mum . . . I-I know I haven't been around much . . . and that you and dad don't like my job-"
"Shh!" his mother didn't want to hear another word. "I'm glad you and your friends are doing well"
'friends?' thought the Sniper.
"But the sun is setting so beautifully" she smiled, "Let's just watch . . ."
Nigel agreed, he didn't want to hear any more bad news, so he watched, smiling as his mother began to sing once again. This time is was an old lullaby that she would sing to his as a child, when his day just wasn't going well. Sitting on this very porch, around this time of day.
