Home to our joys, home to our sorrows 6.
Disclaimer: nothing is mine but the plot and a few made up people.
Author's note, thanks for the reviews and for the information. Please read and review.
Patricia Sheridan hurried to prepare rooms for her son and his friend who were to arrive today. The day before John had called her and told him about Susan. He and Susan had been friends for years and Patricia knew a great deal about the girl, even if they had never met. Her son was bringing her for a week to relax at their farm house. As she thought through this, Patricia made the beds in both John's old room, for him and the guest room next to it for Susan, cleaning the bathroom which adjourned both rooms and cleaned the rooms, tables and dressers. Her husband was away on a diplomatic mission but would arrive within the next few days.
She was excited yet dismayed. She hadn't seen her son since before the wars. Yet she was over come by sorrow by what Susan had gone through, and from the looks of it John as well who had cried when he told her of the death of the unborn child. She wiped her face when she heard the unmistakable sound of a shuttle landing and raced down stairs and out the door where John was opening the door of the shuttle and helping Susan out.
Susan in her gray clothing looked pale and withdrawn. Whenever Patricia had seen pictures of her she had come up to John's upper lip in her heels. Now she wore flats and was just under his chin in height. When she looked Patricia in the eye, Patricia could see the sorrow of the world and held out her arms to the girl," Oh Susan." taking her in a hug. They stayed that way for several minutes and John took their luggage up, meeting them in the living room, where the two women were seated.
John came over to greet his mother and hugged her hard. After they were settled Patricia turned to Susan, lowering her voice, and softening it as if talking to a child," How are you Susan?"
Susan's voice was hollow as she responded automatically," I'm fine, how are you Mrs.."
She got no further as Patricia interupted," That's mom to you." with a smile. Susan nodded in agreement but said nothing and leaned back into the sofa. Trish got up and excusing herself went to the kitchen and returned with lemonade which the three sipped in silence.
The rest of the day went by as such. They retired early so they would have a chance to un pack. John walked Susan upstairs and to her room before bidding both women goodnight and disappeared to his room. Susan struggled to lift the suitcase to the bed. Trish seeing this entered Susan's room through the unclosed door. She quickly lead Susan to sit down and began unpacking the clothing, chatting as she did so. Susan spoke little except to protest Trish helping her which fell on deaf ears. Trish after hanging her clothes, place Susan's other belongings in the top drawers so Susan could reach them easily, before standing at the door a moment and saying. " You're a strong woman, you 'll get through this, we'll help you." Susan looked up and smiled weakly as Trish continued," Good night Susan."
" Good night... Mom."