"Someone's on a good mood." Sharon looked up to find her mother leaning against the door frame of her room. "You've been humming all morning."
"I didn't realize I was doing that." Sharon blushed packing her clothes.
"Can I ask who put this smile on your face?" Her mother walked in and set down on her bed.
"No one." Sharon shook her head and continued to fold her clothes before placing them into her suit case. "Just happy I guess."
"I think it's more then that," Sharon's mother smiled. "You've got a sway in your step. Could it be a man?"
"Maybe." Sharon couldn't stop the grin from crossing her face.
"Really?" Sharon's mother asked excited.
"Sort of." Sharon sit down beside her.
She told her mother about the mouse incident, then about Christmas and the ride home.
"So what's really holding you back?" Her mother asked.
"If I give into temptation," Sharon laid her head on her mother's shoulder. "And he gets what he wants, then what? He just moves on to the next conquest."
"Or something beautiful comes from this relationship." Her mother suggested. "Sharon you can't live your life in fear of getting heart broken again."
"I know. I'm trying not to." Sharon stood back up and zip her suit case. "I'm also married and a relationship with a fellow officer is almost impossible for an IA officer to get approved. Even harder for me because I'm their Captain."
"First take Jack and your loveless marriage out of the equation." Sharon's mother shook her head standing. "He's not in the picture and hasn't been in a while."
"Jack is the father of my children," Sharon frowned. "I'll always love him."
"But he doesn't deserve to control your life." She patted Sharon's back. "As for work, they'll either accept it or you'll find a job somewhere else."
"Just like that, huh?" Sharon laughed. "Just throw it all away."
"If need be." She shrugged. "Sharon, if this man is making you glow from the inside out it's worth it."
"I'll think about it." Sharon gave her mother a hug. "I love you, Mama."
"I love you too, Sharon." Her mother kissed her cheek. "Now hurry up so we can get on the road."