Happy Mother's Day!
Rex vs Mother's Day
"Did you know the school is selling tickets to a Mother's Day brunch for moms?" Noah asked Rex as he sat down next to him with his tray of food.
Rex looked up lazily at his friend. "So what?"
"So, why don't you bring Dr. Holiday?" Noah asked.
"What?" Rex sat up. "She's not my mom."
"Well, you can still bring mother figures." Noah said. "I mean Claire is bringing her grandmother."
"Doc's not my mother figure. She's too hot." Rex scoffed.
"So, you're saying mothers aren't hot?" Noah asked.
"I mean… no? I mean I don't know. I don't know a lot of mothers." Rex stammered.
He was saved from continuing when Circe sat down. "What's up, guys?"
"I was saying Rex should bring Doc to the school's Mother's Day brunch." Noah said.
"And I said that Doc's not a mother." Rex interrupted.
Circe frowned. "Well, she's not technically a mother but she's taken care of you."
"What? No, she's never…" Rex stopped in mid-sentence. In his mind's eye he saw:
Holiday putting a band aid on his scrapped knee. Holiday holding a bucket under his chin as he puked his guts out when he had the bout of flu. Holiday sitting up with him when he was sick. Holiday throwing him a surprise birthday party. Holiday making him a cake for his birthday. Sure, it was inedible, but it was thoughtful. Holiday teaching him everything from history to math. Then there were the countless times she defended him to White Knight as well as tried to smooth things over between him and White Knight. There were countless times as a kid he had let Six know how much he appreciated him but he didn't remember doing the same for Doc.
"What's wrong, Rex?" Circe asked.
Rex gulped. "Excuse me." He got up from the table. Circe and Noah looked at each other.
0o0
Noah pinned a corsage onto his mother's lapel. He offered her an arm and led her into the hall. "Oh, Noah, this is so fancy." His mother gushed. "It must have cost you a pretty penny."
"Nothing is too much for my mom." Noah answered gallantly as he led her to a table.
Claire and her grandmother strolled in a minute later. Noah waved to get her attention. When she spotted him, she and her grandmother walked over.
The two women greeted each other and made small talk.
"Are these seats taken?"
Noah and Claire looked up surprised.
"Rex, nice to see you again. And who is this?" Mrs. Nixon asked politely.
"Hello, Mrs. Nixon and uh, Claire's grandmother. This is Dr. Rebecca Holiday." Rex introduced a young woman wearing an orange turtleneck and black skirt.
"Nice to meet you both." Rebecca smiled. Rex pulled out the chair for her.
The ladies chatted about this and that as the wait staff served them mediocre brunch staples.
After the brunch, the dean of the school walked up to the podium.
"Welcome mothers and mother figures. We welcome you today. Your children brought you here today because you have been influential in their lives. You've nurtured them, raised them, and offered them unconditional love. Today we honor all you've done, the sacrifice of time and sleep to ensure that our future will be bright. Let us raise a glass to our mothers."
Everyone lifted their glass. Rex looked at Doc. Her eyes were a little misty. He smiled and raised his glass to her. "Thanks."
Rex vs Mother's Day: Tie (everyone wins)
This story was hard to write. My own mother is in rehab right now (which is why I haven't had time to write at all). Last month we thought she was going to die, and we were starting to make arrangements for hospice care. But miracle of miracles an emergency surgery helped repair some damage and although she is not out of danger yet, we believe God answered our prayers for a little more time with our mom before she goes. We know one day she will no longer be here but we will cherish whatever time we have left with her. Spend some time with your mother not just today but whenever you can. No mother is perfect, most try their best. If there has been irrevocable hurt, forgive them. Try to remember the good. Peace to you all.
Happy Mother's Day.