I won't even say anything. You waited long enough.

Initial completion: February 15, 2023

Darkness had fallen over Montressor by the time Jim arrived at the Benbow Inn. Thanking the pilot, he stepped out of the transport ship and made his way up the brand-new dock, his feet causing light creaking sounds as he stepped on the fresh boards.

Jim had been on this new dock before, but it now made him think of Silver and of this whole mess. But at least things were starting to clear up, and hopefully further resolved with this visit.

"Oh, I was just about to lock up."

His mother's voice nearly startled Jim upon entering the Benbow.

He turned to face her where she was cleaning up some dishes leftover from the dinner that he knew had ended quite some time ago.

No longer feeling unsure about his visit Jim gave her a brief wave. "Hi, mom."

"Isn't it a bit late for you to be visiting?" she asked, now taking the dishes to the kitchen.

Peeking out the yet-to-be-closed window into the night sky, Jim nodded. "I know, but I…"

He stopped mid-sentence, noticing that Sarah had disappeared.

Jim sighed deeply before grabbing the remaining dinnerware and shuffling toward the double doors. Nudging one open he instantly noticed the heap of washed but not yet put away pots, plates, and utensils next to the washbin where Sarah was scrubbing away at a small pile of dirty ones. Despite her facing away from him, Jim could see the tiredness of her movements and exhaustion in her posture.

"You should stay for the night," she said quietly, still turned away. "I don't want you traveling at this hour."

Only when Jim placed his hand on her shoulder did she cease her work and let him see her weary expression.

"I need to talk to you," he said.

"It's not as often as it was a couple of weeks ago," Sarah remarked as she brought in some sheets, "... but they still ask me about him."

Jim dropped his shoulders, his gaze falling onto the bare mattress. He wasn't sure why his mother insisted on keeping his bed if all it did was take up space in her already small room, but tonight he was grateful for her thoughtfulness.

He only wished she would treat herself in the same caring manner.

Sarah continued as she began making the bed. "I know they don't mean to bother me, they're usually just asking about his food."

"Yeah," Jim offhandedly said as he finished up the sheets, suddenly unable to remember when he last ate anything made by Silver. But then again, he had eaten "John's" food on various occasions.

Sarah went and fetched a couple of pillows, briefly releasing a chuckle. "I've found myself repeating the same phrases over and over," she said, "...'He was a pirate', 'He was arrested', 'He's not here'." Though she attempted a laugh, it came out as a sigh, her energy depleted. "They ask me that often."

Jim gently took the pillows from his mother as he gave her a look of concern. Now empty, her arms fell to her sides and her gaze lowered. "And every time it hurts all over again," she admitted with the slightest frown and the tiniest crack in her voice.

Dropping the pillows onto the bed, Jim reached out to grab her hand. "How can I make it hurt less?" he gently asked.

Sarah shook her head and brought her other hand up to pinch her nose. "I'm so sorry you had to get involved with this, Jim," she sighed.

His eyes widened. "Me?" he asked. He hadn't brought up that he visited the prison, had he?

"His name was John Silver." she said. "You talked about another cyborg on Treasure Planet, right? The one who also turned out to be a pirate?"

Ah, the little detail Jim never got around to mentioning.

"There can't be that many pirate cyborgs named Silver, Jim," she said flatly, only earning a sigh from him.

Gently taking her hand out of his, Sarah sat on the newly made bed, appearing lost in thought. "I just… I don't know what to do, what to think."

Silence soon took hold as Jim thought long and hard.

Moving to take a seat on the bed next to Sarah, Jim stared ahead. "You know what I think?" he began. "I think Silver planned to kill me during our trip to Treasure Planet."

Sarah turned her head but Jim held his gaze firm.

"I think he planned to take the Centurion for himself and his arms dealing business," he continued. "I think he also planned to take advantage of you and leave you to clean up any mess he might make in his escapade. But…"

Turning his head, Jim looked deep into his mother's blue eyes.

"But I don't think he meant to see me as anything more than a cabin boy," he added, now lowering his voice. "I don't think he meant to bond with me when we were just supposed to be cooking, cleaning, or whatever. And I definitely don't think he meant to be something of a father figure just long enough for me to finally let go of some heavy burdens."

Silver meant so much to Jim in so many ways. He knew the old cyborg had a good heart hidden under all that metal. And he was sure Sarah saw some of it, too.

"He helped me get out of my head and see that I was worth something and not just a screw-up. Even though he's done lots of things, good and bad, I'm one hundred percent sure that I am a better man today thanks to him," Jim said with confidence. He was indebted to Silver for believing in him, as scrappy and delinquent as he once was. Were it not for Silver, Jim might've wound up in the cell right next to him for all he knew.

"What about me?"

Sarah's question caught Jim off guard. Her gaze told him that she was listening to him attentively.

But his mother thinking about herself for once?

Jim gave it a moment of thought before speaking again. "Mom, remember how many times I used to mess up and get in trouble? Did you ever dream I'd be in the Royal Interstellar Academy? At the top of my classes?"

Sarah glanced away and remained silent. Jim knew she wanted to say "yes" but they both knew it wasn't true.

"What I'm trying to say is that I changed. I changed despite it all. Now, I know Silver. He already got away once on the Legacy and again on the Centurion," Jim clarified. "I'm not sure what exactly was going on between you two while he was here," he admitted with a scratch of his neck. "But whatever it was, it turned the cyborg I knew into someone who was willing to face the consequences of his crimes when he always made every effort to dodge them."

Jim knew something had happened between the cyborg and his mother. Whatever it was, it had a profound effect that was too impactful to not see. Giving a light shrug, Jim looked into Sarah's eager gaze.

"I guess he decided that you were worth paying that price."

With that, Jim let silence take hold once more.

Sarah remained quiet but she was clearly thinking through all of this. Her stare had traveled elsewhere before hiding behind her eyelids for a good, long while. Jim did not move. He would help her find a way around this barrier and he would wait for her to process it as long as she needed to.

"I've been thinking a lot about him," she finally said, "... about what he's done." Slowly she opened her eyes, looking at nothing as she gently stood up.

Jim watched as she took some small steps forward as though she were on autopilot.

"And right now, after all of this, I think…" Stopping her short pace, Sarah suddenly turned with a relentless look on her face.

"I'm not going to worry," she declared, although with a hint of reluctance. "I… I wish he hadn't left and I wish he would return," she admitted. "... but I'm not going to helplessly wait for it. I've done that once."

A sadness tried to overtake her before she fiercely shook her head. "Never again."

Sarah regained her composure and continued her assertion. "If he feels for me the way I've felt for him then he will come back on his own. He knows where I am," she said, tiredly but firmly crossing her arms. "I'm not going anywhere."

Jim stood from the bed and looked into her assertive eyes. It was so good to see the spark return to them. But they were still so weary and exhausted.

"I'll come back here more often, help you get adjusted again," he said as he placed his hands on her shoulders. It was his turn to be decisive. "School's not even an hour away."

Sarah's mouth dropped with a gasp as she grabbed his wrists. "Jim, you have your studies," she protested. "They're too important."

He softened his gaze, moving his hands to gently hold her face. No one would ever love him the way his mother did.

"You're much more important, Mom," he countered.

"Jim…"

"You know you can't talk me out of this," he practically chuckled.

She let out a faint groan, almost rolling her eyes.

Good thing he was just as stubborn as she was.

Jim released her only to wrap his arms around her torso in a tight hug. Sarah returned it with a worn-out sigh. Her head rested on his shoulder, feeling as if she were going to pass out in his arms. There was still more she needed to know about all of this but they were Silver's words to say, not Jim's.

She was right. If he truly did care for her as much as he said he did, Silver would come and pick up the pieces that she couldn't.

"It'll get better," Jim whispered as he gazed past her at his admittance portrait on the nightstand. He was smiling in the picture but he would never forget how delighted Sarah was as she proudly stood behind the camera that day.

And he would do everything in his power to help his mother be that happy again.

"Oh, Deb. You shouldn't push yourself."

As Sarah was finishing up preparing another room for new guests she caught sight of Deb, having just returned from visiting a friend, and struggling up the stairs.

"If I can get a head start up these wretched stairs I'm taking the opportunity," the old woman said plainly. "I need to exercise this old sack of bones whenever I can."

Once Sarah had helped Deb up to her room she excused herself to finish her chores. And, as usual, Deb stopped her.

"Fancy a quick game with me today, Sarah?" she asked, the chess pieces rattling in the wooden box.

Sarah had gotten used to this by now.

"Sorry, Deb. You know I'm busy."

"I know, dear."

"I don't have time, Deb."

"That's alright."

"I'll have to take a rain check, Deb."

"Maybe next time then."

"Why not?"

Deb seemed as surprised as Sarah was by her own words. She almost backtracked, wanting to say that she misspoke. She did have plenty of work to finish before dinner.

But there was this excitement on Deb's face as she quickly began setting up the pieces. She had asked so many times before and Sarah knew it wasn't because she had no one to play with.

Shrugging to herself, Sarah took the seat opposite Deb and found the excitement somewhat contagious.

Besides, a little break might be nice.

"Well," Sarah said, stretching her arms out, "... that was… fun."

She knew losing back-to-back wasn't best described as "fun", but Sarah had actually found some enjoyment in the matches. She would've almost won one of them if Deb wasn't so good at chess. She didn't brag but Sarah could see the satisfaction in Deb's wrinkled face.

"I should get back to work now," Sarah said, standing from her seat and turning to leave.

"Are you looking for some help around here, Sarah?"

Sarah turned back, surprised by Deb's question.

"I mean, with Johnny gone you must miss having an extra hand," she added with a shrug.

"Oh, Deb. I couldn't make you work," Sarah shook her head.

Deb pointed a wrinkled, green finger. "Hey, I'm not too old. I can put away linens or dust cobwebs just fine," she smiled. "And besides, some of the others want to help out, too. We worry about you, dear."

Sarah stood speechless.

She knew Deb could not be deterred once her mind was made up. And if some of the other residents wanted to help as well then maybe Sarah could have a little breathing room.

"Well… I could use some help, but the work and the pay would be very little."

Deb sharply shook her head. "I don't care, I just don't want to see you so downhearted anymore. What's an old bat like me going to do with money anyway?"

Sarah allowed a little smile to appear. It was nice to know the people she helped wanted to help in return. "I'll see about getting things set up tomorrow," she said, walking into the hall with a wave.

"And I'll talk with the others," Deb assured with a wave of her own. "They'll be glad to know my plan's in motion," she said, giving Sarah a mischievous wink.

Sarah laughed and shook her head as she went back to work, finding that the break had reinvigorated her. She finished preparing one room after another and she had made it almost all the way to the end of the hall.

Closing the door of a now guest-ready room Sarah leaned against it, letting out a tired breath. Not many people checked out these rooms since the hall was isolated and sometimes dark so there wasn't much to prep. Just one more.

She turned her head to look at the door, the last door, the one that hadn't opened in several weeks now. Sarah had put off getting that room ready for too long.

No one needed it, but she needed to take that first step to move on.

She took a deep breath before gingerly entering it, finding it already rather tidy. All that was really out of place was a coat, hat, and an envelope sitting on the bed. Taking a glance at it she was surprised to find her name written on it.

It was written rather crudely but the name "Sarah" was unmistakable.

She tentatively reached for it before freezing.

What if it said something horrible? Could she bear to know what could be a painful truth? Was anything in it even true?

The sound of her breathing was loud in the empty room. But Sarah furrowed her brow and shook her head.

She was done being unsure of herself.

Subconsciously sucking in her breath, Sarah firmly grabbed the envelope. She closed her eyes and gently breathed out. She needed to know what he had to say.

Sitting on the bed, she tore open the letter and began.

She read it.

Once.

Then twice.

"Mom?"

Sarah jerked her head up only to find that her neck was stiff, the sun was gone, and her son, back from school, was in the doorway. How long had she been here?

"Ah, it must be dinnertime," she said, also noticing her throat was now dry. "Would you give me a hand with the cooking, Jim?"

Jim stared at her, clearly confused. "What are you doing in the dark?" he asked.

Sarah merely shook her head, quickly putting the letter in her pocket and trying to hide the tear that crept down her face. "Nothing," she said, waving a hand as she walked past him.

"I'm just glad I'm no longer in the dark."

I'm terribly sorry for the delay. School got in the way and I got stuck so hard in this chapter.

But here it is, with its they-are-sad-but-trying-to-heal vibes.

There's literally a handful of chapters left and I hope I can write and polish them competently.

I do have a little "behind-the-scenes" type chapter planned so if you have any questions (that won't be answered by the last chapter) ask away and I'll try to answer some of them!

Again, thank you so much for your encouraging reviews despite my mediocre writing and dreadful upload schedule. I love you, stinkies 💖