Living alone made her feel lonely sometimes.

From the time that she'd left her ex husband with Charlie in tow, it had always been just the two of them. She didn't mind it. Not for the most part. Naturally, there were moments where she missed the companionship, the feeling of arms holding her tight or a voice whispering in her ear. She missed all of that and in a way, she missed her ex and how they used to be. But that was the past. That was a lifetime ago. That was a time she would rather not revisit. And besides, she had refused to raise her son in an environment like that. John had made his choices and she had made hers.

She was proud of Charlie. He was going to go further than she had. That was what she wanted the most for him. She desired for him to do great things and become the person he was meant to be. Being a teacher was a bit of a surprise to her. She knew her son possessed leadership skills, though she never pictured him as the teacher type per se. He'd complained numerous times about having to attend and now look at him; he'd be in school for a long while.

And now he was out on his own, living in a home and preparing to start his career. Her little boy had become a man right before her eyes. She was excited for him, of course. How could she not be? But her heart was aching at the same time. No mother (or father) wanted to see their child grow up and not need them anymore. They did but they didn't. Things were changing and to be honest, Casey wasn't sure she was ready for it.

It'd been a few months since Charlie had moved out. She was still getting used to the quietness that lingered around. He'd always been doing something or other, bringing a friend around to hangout with-and usually stay for dinner. But now she came back to an empty home, ate dinner by herself and spent the evenings watching television or reading a book if she wasn't working late. She remembered once hearing an older lady tell her how wonderful having an empty nest was once you got over the initial sadness. But that woman was also married. She was able to spend that time alongside her husband. Casey didn't begrudge the woman, but knew she didn't fully understand. She didn't have anyone, but it wasn't like this was sudden and sprung on her. She'd been this way for years. She should be used to it.

Should , being the keyword.

/

Casey knocked on the door, holding onto a plastic container of chocolate chip cookies. It was just a nice little surprise for Charlie. She just knew he would get that job and deserved a little early celebration. Instead of a cake, she went with cookies, which was another one of his favorite desserts.

She certainly didn't expect Gordon to answer the door and by the looks of things, he didn't expect her to be on the other side of it. Shell shocked into silence, they stared at one another longer than one would typically be comfortable with. At last, she was able to form a complete sentence. "Gordon," she managed to keep her voice calm and even, "hello."

He swallowed. "Hi Casey."

She heard footsteps coming from inside. Charlie came up behind Gordon, his face sheepish and a few nervous chuckles escaping. "Hey, Mom."

"Charlie," Her voice was still calm, but there was a slight edge to it.

"Can you leave us alone for a sec?" Charlie said to Gordon with a slight grimace. Gordon nodded, sparing one last glance at her before going up the stairs and around the corner. She, with her arms crossed, stepped in the house and he shut the door.

"I didn't know Gordon was here," Casey said, trying not to show she was a bit upset. She would have liked a head's up. Getting caught off guard and finding her ex here was not a pleasant surprise.

And then there was the part other that wondered why he'd gone upstairs of all places. Although, it was boiling outside so that might have been why.

"Uh, yeah," Charlie mumbled. "Mom, you should sit down."

That concerned her. Her motherly instincts were on alert now. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Just sit," he gestured to the couch to which she sat down slowly. "Now promise me you won't freak out?"

"Charlie-"

"Promise me," He pleaded.

He wasn't going to tell her until she did. "Okay," She agreed. "I won't freak out."

"Great," He said and then said as quickly as he could, "Gordon's living here now."

" What ?"

She was up in a flash, absolutely shocked . Since when did Gordon live here? When did that happen? Why did that happen?

"What do you mean he's living here now?''

"He's living here," Charlie repeated. "Look, Mom; I know you're not happy about this but he had nowhere else to go. I couldn't just not do anything."

Her hand was on her forehead as she paced. "I understand that, Charlie and-it's nice that you've stepped up to help him but-" Her lips thinned out as she glanced up at the ceiling. "A little warning would have been nice."

"I know," he looked guilty. "I didn't know how to tell you."

"Were you waiting for me to find out for myself?' She said incredulously.

"Kinda..."

She sent a look of pure exasperation at her only child. That boy! "Well, I don't appreciate it, Charlie. You know how things ended between us. It's not pleasant for either of us to be around each other."

"You didn't look too uncomfortable when you sat with Gordon when we all got accepted into Eden," he pointed out.

She wanted to ask what was the sudden reasoning for him referring to Gordon by his name but now wasn't the time for trivial questions. "That was different," She said indignantly. "That was a special day for all of you. Gordon and I are adults and can put our issues aside for you kids."

"Then why is seeing him here an issue?" He asked. "If you guys are adults, you should be fine."

She wasn't liking where this conversation was going. Truth be told, back when Charlie was a child, she used the 'parenting card' on him many times. She said because I said so many times. It was easier back then. But Charlie was an adult now too. He wasn't being was asking and there was no getting out of it. "It's different," She repeated. He was skeptical. "I knew I would be seeing him there. I didn't know I would be seein him here."

To Charlie's credit, he did apologize. "I'm sorry," he told her.

She eventually smiled. She couldn't stay mad at her boy. "It's okay. I suppose it's better I've seen him now anyway."

He seemed to finally notice her plastic container and pointed at it. "What's that for?"

She handed it to him. "I made you some cookies."

"Because-?"

"I know you'll get the job and you deserve a little early celebration," She said.

His lack of self confidence was coming out again. "If you say so," he said, shrugging. "If you want, you can stay for dinner."

She hesitated. No doubt Gordon would be around. It would bring back memories of past dinners they'd all spent together where they felt like a real family . It would be easier to run, wouldn it? But this was her son. Surely she could be an adult and get through this? There was no reason why she couldn't. "What are you having?"

"I'm gonna order pizza soon."

"That is not a proper meal," She only lectured half-heartedly. She followed him into the kitchen where she sat the cookies on the countertop. "Count me in. I'll stay."

He was pleased. "Great. I'll see if Gordon's okay with pizza."

"He doesn't...have any plans?" She tried to be casual about it so her son wouldn't take offense and she didn't seem like she was hoping for an easy way out. When in fact, she was.

"No. He usually doesn't."

That was certainly interesting. She would have assumed he had more going on in his life than work. She hoped he hadn't fallen back into work too much like before. Not that she cared like that , of course. Not the same way she'd cared for him during their relationship. It was no good for anyone to work themselves to death.

Gordon was quiet as he entered the kitchen. His eyes were anywhere but on her. She couldn't help but notice he was looking rather casual today. The blue t-shirt he was wearing was a nice color on him.

"Is pizza okay with you?" Charlie asked without looking at him.

Gordon's head snapped up. "Oh, yeah. That's fine."

"I'll go get it," Charlie volunteered. "Be back in ten."

That-

That meant she would be in the house. With Gordon. Alone .

"I could get it," Casey said hurriedly. She ignored the way the subtle hurt came in Gordon's eyes. It vanished as quickly as it came. "It's really no trouble."

Charlie frowned. "It'll only be ten minutes."

He obviously didn't want to hurt Gordon's feelings.

So, like a big girl, she nodded and forced a smile. "Of course." She watched her son leave, sharing an awkward glance with Gordon. "It's nice to see you again," She said politely to him.

"You too," He said.

They fell silent again.

"I'm sorry," He said, causing her to look his way. "I assume he didn't tell you?"

"No," She admitted. "But you don't have to be sorry. It isn't your fault."

"If it's any consultation," He started, "I told him he should tell you soon."

"Well, you know how our-how Charlie is," She'd almost said our boy but caught herself. What was she thinking? Then, she asked a question that was on her mind since she'd spoken to Charlie. "Charlie told me you're here because you had nowhere to go," She said tentatively.

"That's right."

"Do you mind if I ask...why?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm sure you know Michelle and I have broken up."

"I heard," She said quietly with sympathy.

"I didn't need housing while coaching and I stayed at her place sometimes but now that it's over, I don't have any other options right now."

"What about your old place?'

"Sold it," Gordon said. "I sold it shortly before moving."

"And now you're living with Charlie."

"He offered," Gordon looked her in the eyes. "I didn't want to say yes at first but he insisted and I really don't have any other option besides a hotel."

That would get expensive fairly quickly, she noted. And if anyone knew how things could get rough when you had few options, it was her.

"I'm sorry," And she meant it. "You have to do what you have to do and I certainly know how that is." One time during Charlie's childhood, she was forced to choose between putting food in the fridge or paying the electric bill. They ended up having to live without power for a month and a half. Charlie had been old enough to understand what was going on, there was no fooling him. She had, however, tried to make it as fun as she could by telling him it could be a game; an adventure of some sorts. They lit candles and pretended to live like the character in one of the books he was reading at the time. "If you have to live with Charlie, then so be it."

"You're sure?" He asked. He was not easily convinced.

Her smile was more sincere this time around. "I'm sure. It was a little...surprising to see you here but Charlie seems happy. He's wanted to live with you forever. I'm sure this will be good for you both."

"Thank you," He said seriously.

"You don't have to thank me," she told him. She would have to get used to it, of course. But even so, there was no reason why he should have to live elsewhere because of her .

He cleared his throat. "So...how are you doing?"

It was almost painful how months of sweet talk came down to hardly a word spoken between them to not speaking at all to this . Like they were strangers. Mere acquaintances like a few of the teenage workers she used to share shifts with at the diner. There, they exchanged pleasantries and she would ask them questions about their life, what was going on, but it wasn't like she was their friend.

And she wasn't Gordon's friend either.

They were just...nothing to each other. Nothing besides Charlie's former coach and his mother.

"I'm good," her smile was weak, phony. 'And you?"

He didn't get the chance to answer her.

"The house is still standing," Charlie said as he came in, holding onto a couple of pizza boxes, "I'm impressed."

She rolled her eyes. "We admire your confidence, dear."

"As you should."

She took a seat at the end of the kitchen table while her son was grabbing a few drinks out of the fridge. "What do you want, Mom? I've got-" His cell phone was buzzing. He started to grumble. "That's probably Averman." But then he furrowed his eyebrows, confused. She watched as he went out of the room to answer.

"I wonder if whoever's calling is telling him he got the job?" Casey felt a rush of excitement.

"Could be," Gordon grinned as well.

"I hope so," She shifted her legs. "Poor boy's been worrying since he went in for that interview."

"Trust me, I know. I've had to tell him to go to sleep a few times."

She sighed, shaking her head. Charlie, while mostly confident, had his moments of insecurity that would run him ragged. "I was afraid of that. He used to do that as a child."

Charlie returned seconds later, his grin wide. "I got the job!"

"You did?" Casey rose to her feet, giving her son a hug. "Oh, I knew you would, sweetheart."

"I told you, you didn't have to worry," Gordon said as he also hugged Charlie.

"Well, it helped no one else applied," Charlie smiled wryly. "But apparently they really liked me."

"Of course they did," Casey couldn't help but say.

" Mom ," Charlie rolled his eyes but he was smiling still. "I have to go on Monday to see my classroom and see what I still need. The principal's going to have some stuff to go over with me."

"Who is the principal? Do you know?" Casey asked as they all sat down. Drinks were passed around and slices of pizza went on napkins.

Charlie took a bite and swallowed. "Zach Richards. It sounds familiar but I can't remember who it is."

"You didn't meet him?" Gordon asked.

"No. He was sick when I had my interview and I guess he's still recovering. Dunno."

"Well, I don't remember any Zach Richards," Casey said.

Charlie shrugged. "I'll find out soon enough."

"What did you say you were teaching again?" Gordon winced-he must have burnt his mouth on the source.

"Sixth grade English."

"I hope you're prepared for every one of those kids to test your nerves," Casey chuckled.

"Or forget their homework," Gordon smirked.

"I won't judge them too harshly," Charlie grinned. "I forgot my homework plenty of times."

Casey raised her eyebrows. "Plenty? I don't recall seeing any notes about that."

She watched as her son became sheepish. "Yeah...about that...I had Peter forge your signature."

"You what ?" She exclaimed.

"Hang on," Gordon cut in, his disbelief showing. "You refused to cheat for me but forging a signature isn't going too far?"

"I felt guilty for that too," Charlie said as if it were a sensible defense. "But I didn't want to get grounded."

"You're lucky I can't ground you now," Casey grumbled.

"If it makes any better, it only happened a few times."

"It doesn't," Casey pursed her lips.

He didn't seem too ashamed of it or at all.

Dinner went well. With Charlie there, it was easier to handle Gordon's presence. Not for the first time, she marveled at the young man he'd turned out to be. He was no longer her little boy-physically that is. He laughed at something Gordon had said, tearing off a piece of the crust.

Sighing softly, Casey remembered a time when this would have meant anything to her to have. These moments. Moments like this where they would have dinner together, talk about their day and be a family . She'd wanted that for her son. It was what he deserved, not solely to be raised by her who had difficulty keeping the bills paid and food on the table sometimes.

Charlie's phone buzzed yet again around twenty minutes later. He took it out of his pocket, looking puzzled. "I don't recognize the number," he murmured.

"Maybe it's the school again?" Gordon said.

Charlie answered it, his face growing more and more confused. "Uh, yeah it is," he said not too long after accepting the call. Shock. Complete shock flew across his face. "You're sure?" She and Gordon exchanged looks of concern. Charlie rose from the table, taking the call in the living room.

"What's all that about?" Casey didn't understand.

"I hope they're not reconsidering," Gordon said.

"Oh, that would be horrible," Casey hated to see her baby upset. He would be devastated if that happened.

She and Gordon were forced to wait for answers while he was still on the call. They couldn't hear much as he was purposefully being quiet but what they could hear was furious muttering. It did nothing to stop Casey from imagining the worst case scenario. When he finally came back, he did nothing but plop down in his seat, looking like his entire world had been shaken.

"What's wrong, Charlie?" Casey couldn't wait any longer.

"Well, apparently I have a nephew."

Sometimes life comes crashing down, doesn't it?