A/N: I received a review from a guest. Therefore, I could not contact you until I had written another chapter. To answer your questions, Jack was called by God at age 17 to serve his country. He enrolled at age 18. I looked up how long it takes to become a Police officer, and it said anywhere from 4 to 8 years. So it took him 5 or 6 years, I guess. He is not a lawyer, he's a police officer. Sorry for the confusion. I hope that cleared it up for you! Enjoy Chapter 2!

(Chapter Two)

A Phone Call

Jack felt a vibration from within his pocket. He quickly pulled his phone out and discovered that his mother was calling.

"Hi, ma," he answered the phone.

"Hello, son. It's so good to hear your voice again."

"It hasn't been that long, mom."

"Well, it feels like it."

There was a pause and he knew she was holding back her tears.

"Mom, how's Tom?"

She hesitated, knowing what her eldest son was doing. "He's doing well. He's still studying engineering."

"Didn't figure he'd give up that easily."

"He reminds me a lot of you."

"So how are you guys?"

"We're doing well. We miss you. But enough about us, let's talk about you."

"What about? My life isn't too exciting right now."

"Hmmm . . . Did you find anyone special yet?"

"Ma!"

"What? Can't a mother even wonder?"

"That's the real reason you called, wasn't it?"

"Well? Have you?"

"No, ma . . . there is no one."

"Yet," she added.

"Hmmm . . . Did you call just to check up on my love-life?"

"Of course not. Tell me more about your life there.

"Well, there's not a whole lot – "

"What about your home?" she interrupted.

"My home? Oh, you mean this crude apartment?"

"It's not that bad, is it?"

"Well . . . Yeah, sort of. I don't have a lot of money, so it will have to do for now."

"What's it like? If you'd rather not talk about it – "

"No – it's alright, ma. I'll tell you. Just don't grimace."

She waited for her son to continue.

"So, when you first walk in . . . it's small. It has one bedroom, or should I say closet?"

"It's that bad?"

"Oh yeah. And my feet stick out the end of the bed, even when I curl up into a ball. The bathroom – now that's a sight I wish I never had to see again."

She was so quiet that he knew what she was doing.

"Ma, you promised. No grimacing."

"Who said I was grimacing? I swear, you can see through a phone!"

"Ah, so you were. Now where was I?"

"Honey, you know, I'm not really that interested in your crude living quarters."

Jack laughed. "Alright, ma."

"So, what's your work like?"

"Hmmm. . . ."

He was thinking of a way to tell her without her grimacing again or even worse, when she asked with teasing in her tone, "Crude?"

"Ha! No, I really love my work. We do seem to be going through a lot of receptionists though. It's a shame, because the one seems so nice; and then they leave right away, and the cycle repeats. I don't know why, but hopefully the next one will be better."

"Yeah. . . ."

"What are you thinking about, ma?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Nothing?" his voice was skeptical.

"I was just wondering if, maybe next year when Tom is done his training and studying, maybe he could move out there and you could move to a nicer, affordable place. What do you think?"

"I would love that, ma! But would Tom?"

"Hmmm . . . I will talk to your brother about it later. This could be a whole new start for you and Tom."

"Thanks, ma. It means a lot that you are willing to give up both of your sons for our happiness."

She thought about that for a moment. Was that really what she was doing? She didn't want her youngest son to leave, and she hadn't wanted her eldest to leave either. She was losing her family bit by bit.

At least Tom will not leave me; she focused on the optimistic thoughts.

"Mom?" her son's voice brought her back to the present.

"Yes, son?"

"I should go now. I'm needed at work in three hours and I really do need some sleep."

"Alright, son. I'll talk to you soon."

"Yeah – And mom?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." Jack had always been one to openly express his love to his family, especially his mother; and he wasn't afraid of what others might say or think.

Tears threatened to spill, but Charlotte held them back. She needed to be strong for her son.

"I love you too, son. Have a good day."

"Goodbye. Ma."

When the phone call ended, Jack thought about what his mother had said. It would be amazing to have family nearby again.

But would Tom even consider moving out here with me? Would it completely crush ma?

His mother would let him know Tom's decision as soon as he had made one.

Jack would anxiously wait for his brother's response. Now, he really did need sleep before another long shift at the force.