- Nicky , it's 8:30.
The blond let out a groan and painfully opened his eyes. He suddenly wondered why his mother was waking him up and jumped up, panicked:
- What is it ? Is is Charlie? He is fine ?
- No honey, it's not Charlie, you have your interview in an hour. Sarah replied calmly despite her own concern at her son's reaction.
- Oh? Ho… okay… he said, feeling a bit silly.
He ran a hand through his hair and then over his face and hesitated:
- I... I'm not sure I wanna go anymore.
- Nick… his mother said softly realizing what was going on. You're not going to be able to watch out Charlie all summer, you know that, right? It wouldn't be good for him or for you anyway.
- Yes I know.
- You need to change your mind. At least go to the interview!
He sighed and nodded with a grunt.
- OK.
His mother smiled and tenderly ruffled his hair:
- That's my boy!
- Mom, stop! He falsely protested, laughing.
- Come on, go get ready while I make you breakfast.
As he showered, Nick realized how much his mother took care of him. During this year away from her, he had sometimes worried about her, especially about her loneliness now that her two boys had left home, but he hadn't dared to broach the subject with her. Maybe because he wasn't ready to hear what she had to say on the subject. Knowing that she was sad or lonely since he left wouldn't help him feel any better. But it was also a little selfish not to ask because he feared her answer.
When he joined her, she had prepared a gargantuan breakfast.
- Wow, you didn't have to do all that!
- It's your first day at home, we had to celebrate!
They had lunch together talking about the latest episode of their series and the next Marvel which hit theaters the following week. Nick watched her curiously. She seemed fine to him, but he knew that appearances could be deceiving.
- Mom, I was wondering… how are you?
- Well, I'm fine, she replied with an amused smile, why are you asking me that?
- Well, since I left I was worried…well, I hope you don't feel too lonely…
- You know with Nellie and Henry, work, book club, I don't have time to be bored.
- No, I know, it's just… you and Dad have been separated for a long time, now.
- Whoa.
Sarah laughed:
- Well if you want to know everything, I have been dating a charming man for some time. It hasn't been very long, that's why you haven't met him yet, but it's going well.
- Ha but that's great!
- Yes, yes, but we'll talk about it another time, come on, you'll have to go, if you don't want to be late for your interview.
He went to put on his sneakers, quickly checked his hair in the mirror, then glanced at his mother who was tidying up in the kitchen. So before leaving, he came back to her and hugged her.
- I'm happy for you, Mom. You deserve the best.
She smiled and kissed his hair as she hugged him back.
- Thank you honey.
- I love you, Mom.
- I love you too, now go!