Chapter 5

"When did you meet her?"

"What's her name?"

"Do we know her?"

"What's she like?"

"How did you get a girlfriend?"

Jess was so fed up of his sisters' persistence. Seriously, he needed to get changed and they just wouldn't leave his room. Maybe telling them wasn't such a good idea after all.

"For God's sake you lot! Leave me alone. I need to change!"

Mary appeared at the door. "Now girls, stop pestering your brother. Brenda, get downstairs and finish those dishes! And you two, the living room is a tip."

"But Mo-. " Brenda quickly got cut off.

"Now!"

All the girls rushed out to escape the storm. Mary left the room but couldn't help feeling curious. She had always felt that she couldn't be a good enough mother for Jess ever since he was little. When he was younger, she was always busy with Joycie, Maybelle's mischievous behaviour, and stupidity of the older two, she never could find enough time for her only son.

Mary had always noticed Jess's despair and she never did like the fact that Jack favoured the girls over Jess or seemed to do so; don't get him wrong. Jack did care for his boy as Jess was his only son and the only one who would continue his father's bloodline but he found that it was always easier to bear Jess with the chores as one; they always got done and two; Jess never complained. In reality Jack was quite proud at how strong a man Jess turned out to be and his contribution to the family lifted a massive weight of the shoulders of both parents, knowing they could always rely on Jess. His loyalty to the family was unmatched.

But Mary wanted to discipline the girls as well, especially Brenda, and so got Jack to split the chores equally between all the kids. Mary loved her son dearly and it always tore at her heart how Jess would never open up to her as he clearly didn't trust her. When the Burke girl came along, she had felt quite jealous. Jess had been happier with her than he had ever been and trusted her more than his family. As his mother, she should've been the one he had come to in hard times but she knew she had never put herself in a position where she could be so.

This all made her very concerned when Jess suddenly announced he had a girlfriend downstairs. Ever since the death of his best friend, Jess had become more of a recluse than ever before. She hoped that what he said wasn't the result of some serious mental problems. So when she was sure that he'd finished his business, she went back in his room. The walls were scattered with drawings, paintings and the like. That was another reason she was proud of her son. Despite Jack's dismissal of Jess's special talent, he remained passionate about his love for art. Mary really hoped to God that it would take him far. He had more than earned it. With all this thought out of her head she turned to the boy in question.

"Sweetie."

"Yeah."

"Were you telling the truth downstairs? Have you really found someone?"

"Mom, you know I'm not a liar."

She took his hand and went to go sit on his bed. "I know but you really make me worry, these last few years you've never really been yourself and not opened up to anyone. So it surprises me that you just so suddenly get yourself a girl."

"I understand your concern but I really have found someone."

"Well…would you mind telling me who she is? I have to know."

"You wouldn't believe me unless you saw her yourself."

"I'm your mother. I'll believe you more than anyone else."

"Okay…you know the neighbours that have moved into the Perkins' house."

"Yes"

"Well… it turns out that it's Bill and Judy Burke. And Leslie is with them."

Mary stared in slight disbelief. "I thought that Leslie… well you know."

"I thought so too. But as it turns out, she survived. Her parents had been told that she would not live, so they announced her death. But she survived alright. They moved her to the hospital in Arlington. And I haven't seen them since."

"How are you so okay with the fact that this was kept from you. You've been in unnecessary grief all these years. Are you really willing to just let them back in after all this."

"They had their reasons momma. And I'm not going to drive Leslie away. Not after I just got her back."

"I'm just concerned about you. I'm your mom, so I'll always be worried."

"And I appreciate it." Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed his mother's cheek and nuzzled into her neck. "I love you momma."

Mary felt like crying. "I love you too sweetie"

"I just want you to know that I would never change the past that I have had. And I wouldn't want to have you any other way than you are now. You don't need to worry too much about me. Because as long as I have you as a mother, I know I won't get in trouble anytime soon."

With a smile that made his mother's heart melt, he released her and stood up. "Now then. Dinnertime is soon and I'm pretty sure I can't hear the tap running."

"BRENDA!!!"