CAP 13

The phone in my office hasn`t stopped ringing.

From confirming appointments with state providers, to wrong numbers who, instead of calling the pharmacy, call the mayor's office asking about creams for hives.

Who the hell is as incapable as to making that mistake?

This town is becoming more and more exasperatingly clumsy and after last night with my sister, the truth is that I have no patience for the clumsiness of this town.

Poor Erin. In days like today her work is very precious and I really missed her. I hope he recovers from the flu quickly. I need her.

I begin to hear a ridiculous song in the distance. It sounds familiar. Where does it come from?

- "Henry! - It's my son's ringtone. I search frantically at the desk; So much papers. My phone must be under some of them.

The song stops and out of the corner of my eye I see a light on the sofa.

Damn phone must have fallen out of my pocket when I was talking to the trash manager. Ugh When

I get to it, I listen to the same song again.

An odious song that Emma chose only to annoy me, but which has become the distinctive sound of my son, because if there is someone who detests that song more than me, that`s my Henry.

- "Hello honey." -I pick up with a smile.

Thanks to my sister, it's not so hard for me to smile again.

-"Hi Mom. I imagine you're busy. "-

-"Henry; I always have a few minutes for you. "-

- "How about an hour?" –

He timidly asks.

-"What happened? Everything is alright? Why should a call with my son last so long? "- I ask worried.

- "No mom. I was hoping for you to give me an hour this afternoon. I miss you."-

I am surprised that he suddenly wants to see me but I do not intend to waste the opportunity to spend time with my son.

- "At Granny`s?" - I ask. I don`t want to have to go to Snow's house. Emma is there.

- "Yes, that`s just what I was thinking. Although my idea was that the 3 of us could meet. "-

He says discouraged.

- "What do you mean?" - Please do not say Emma.

- "Emma." –

It hurts, but Zelena is right; I must get used to listening my son name his mother.

-"She can`t go. I wanted it to be a family reunion. "-

He tells me disappointed. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks of us as a family.

- "Son if she can`t today, surely won`t miss an opportunity in the future." –

I say trying to give comfort, perhaps looking for some comfort for me too.

The fact that Emma is busy has nothing to do with the last conversation we had. Not at all.

We agree with Henry that I should pick him up from school, so we could spent a few more minutes together. I would also like to know how he goes with his studies.

Henry's teachers receive me with fear in their eyes, but I'm used to it and I find it convenient. So nobody will mess with my son. They tell me that he has been a little distracted lately, but he has not fallen behind in any of his subjects.

Which indicates that despite everything Emma is going through; she still takes care of our son.

The hug that Henry gave me when we met put my pieces together reminding me that I still have love in my life.

Already seated in Granny`s I ask him;

-"What`s wrong dear? Why are you so quiet? "-

- "I'm not going to lie to you mom, I have something to tell you; but I also want Emma to listen. These are just some ideas that I need to share with you. "-

He tells me to reassure me, but it doesn`t leave me less intrigued.

- "If it is such an important concern perhaps you should expose it as soon as possible." –

- "Good try mom, but I'm not going to fall for that." –

He smiles at me and I smile back.

-"Okay. You can`t blame me for trying. "-

- "I never would." - Granny herself brings us our food because today is Ruby's day off and the other girl always confuses the orders. Of course, she doesn`t want to have any problems with me.

I think she saw in my face that today I don`t have much patience left today.

- "How are you Regina?" –

She asks me with genuine interest.

- "I've had better days. But my son always makes me happy. "-

I don`t know what this woman has, but since the curse broke I don`t have the heart to lie to her.

- "The phone hasn`t stopped ringing in the mayor's office and the worst of all is that my secretary is sick and I pick up after a woman who thought she was talking to the pharmacy. What can I know about creams for hives? ".

Henry smiles and I smile too. Now I find it funny. I am struck by the laughter that Granny releases.

- "I'm sorry, Regina. The new girl is really clueless. Yesterday she went for a walk in the woods and some screams scared her. When she ran away, she ended up facing poison ivy. "-

She smiles apologizing.

- "When I pass her the emergency numbers she must have confused them." –

- "Why would the mayor's number be in some way close to the pharmacy's?" - I ask because I do not understand the reason why the numbers would not be in alphabetical order.

- "I don`t trust phones, so I have a laminated paper with emergency contacts. And when you are my age you order the numbers by necessity, not in alphabetical order. "-

She answers me as if she could read my thoughts.

- "Well, at least that explanation comforts me. I thought that this town was full of idiots, it turns out that it's just one. "-

I joke and she smiles.

- "Ok, let me know if you need anything else." –

She tells me with a mysterious smile on her face.

- "I do not know about you, but it seemed odd to me the way she looked at you." –

Says my son as he gives him a bite to the burger.

- "Not at all love." –

I say not very convinced.

- "How's the school going?" - I ask beginning to eat my salad.

- "Knowing you as I know you, you already got that info from the teachers, mom." –

He tells me showing at the same time that he has nothing to hide or is an idiot.

-"Alright then. Have you already decided which university you want to go to? "-

I ask, looking at him fixedly.

- "Not yet." –

He disinterested answer.

- "Henry!" - I exclaim.

- "Do not let much time go by. It is a very important decision. "-

-"I know, I know. And I've thought about it. "-

He answers and I give him a few minutes to continue, which he does not do.

-"So? What have you thought? What career do you want to follow? "- I ask already inquisitive.

- "Mom" –

He said exasperated.

- "Henry, it's not something you can take lightly." –

-"I know."-

- "Apply takes time; money. There are visits to do ... "-I speak to him without realizing that he also has something to say but I'm not leaving him.

God he must understand that we are talking about the University. Of his future.

- "I'M NOT GOING TO COLLEGE NEXT YEAR!" –

The entire cafeteria is silent. My eyes and mouth could not physically be more open. All eyes in the cafeteria were equally open and directed towards our table.

- "Henry, darling." - I start talking when I find my voice after taking a big breath. The expression on my son's face lets me know that it wasn`t his intention to make me angry.

- "Honey I think I didn`t heard you well." – I continuous.

- "You heard perfectly well. Just like the whole cafeteria. "-

He says lowering his head.

- "But, it's College we're talking about." –

I don`t understand why he would dismiss an opportunity like this.

- "Mother".-

He begins; and that title puts distance between us. Mostly because that's how I used heading towards Cora. I know he does it out of respect.

- "I understand that for you it is a great opportunity, but the University will be there in a year." –

- "Do you want to take a year off?" - I ask trying to understand.

-"Or two? –

He tells me shyly making a face that reminds me of his mother.

- "Look mom, did you know that there are several versions of you? Several versions of my grandmother? But there is only one version of me. Okay also just one Emma. All thanks to you being the only Evil Queen who overcame her obsession with Snow White. "

- "Emma is looking for her story, and I would like to do the same." –

He tells me decidedly.

- "I want to know why there is only one me. I want to write my story."-

It has all the meaning of the world what he says, but at the same time it scares me, he's my son.

- "Where would you like to look for your story?"-

I ask because we know it won`t be in this town.

I realize that people continue to look at us with curiosity. It doesn`t take much effort to give them a look so cold that it makes them return to their conversations and leave ours alone.

-"I don`t know yet. I wanted to talk to you about that. Mom, I don`t want you to think I intend to disobey you, but I'm not asking for your permission. I am letting you know. Next year I'll be 18 "-

He tells me with determination.

- "You don`t give me an option Henry." - I say sadly.

- "Because, again mom, I'm not asking for your permission; I am communicating a decision already taken. That's why I wanted to wait until the three of us were together as a family. "-

- "I don`t think your mother has anything against your decision." - I commented knowing that Emma is one of the most spontaneous people I know.

-"Actually; I had more faith to have you on my side."-

He tells me finishing the hamburger. Clearly he is Emma's son; these two could eat over an earthquake.

-"I don`t understand."-

- "Mom, you are the reason why Emma and I are unique. Even though your story was written by a lot of different people, people who wanted to manipulate you, sometimes even by those who love you. But in the end you chose your story. I would like to follow your example."-

- "Are you implying that Emma did not choose her story? What are you talking about? "- Emma is so spontaneous that it makes her an idiot sometimes.

- "No."-

He says shaking his head.

- "She did choose her story, but I think she got carried away a lot by the Fairy Tale happy ending. Look how it went. "-

Well that's another way of looking at it.

- "When you took the reins of your life you didn`t let anyone get into your decisions." –

He tells me with pride.

- "From the moment you told me you didn`t know how to love and you let me go with my grandfather. From there you took charge of everything good and bad that you have done. You ended up transforming the most feared villain of all time into the heroine you are today. And I want to be like you. "-

He ends up smiling because he knows he has won.

- "You certainly have a gift with words." - I say smiling.

- "I'm just telling the truth mom." –

We stand up and I take his hand. I realize that my little one is already taller than me. He holds me tightly. I realize what this hug means; it is what I needed without knowing.

This hug makes everything worthwhile. This hug tells me that for the first time I am an example to follow. A hug that identifies me as my son's heroine. That is invaluable.

The mixture of anguish for his departure and pride in what he has just said overwhelms me, but I will choose the best of feelings and my tears confirm that today, with Henry in my arms, I am proud of myself.

- "Now we just need to convince Emma." –

He tells me while we sit down again. But his face shows concern.

- "I don`t think it's going to be that difficult." –

- "You have no idea how similar you are." –

He says smiling.

- "Do you think that after not having me for so many years, she will let me go that easy? Even more now that Hook left. "-

- "I ask you, dear that you do not name me that pirate, because I am restraining myself with every fiber of my being to go out in his search and fix a couple of accounts." –

I tell him with sincerity, the anger is evident in my face.

-"You see? All a heroine. A knight in white armor. "-

He jokingly tells me.

- "No, honey. Black is still my color. "-

The food continued with that spirit until it was time to say goodbye. Of course I took him to Snow's house. I would have liked him to come back with me, but now I understand more his need to stay with Emma.

- "Do you want to get in for a drink?" –

He asks me when I stop the car.

- "I don`t know, it's a little late. Emma must be resting."-

The three of us will have dinner on Wednesday at my house. I don`t see the need to advance that uncomfortable meeting.

- "She won`t be back for another hour, hour and a half. She's in the station. "-

He tells me undoing his belt.

So the Sheriff went back to work and nobody bothered to tell the Mayor. I also understand that they have not warned me. I understand her.

- "Just a coffee?" –

He tells me putting those puppy eyes that he knows are my undoing. The same as his mother. But the thing that convinces me is to be able to spend a few more minutes with him.

- "Ok, a coffee. But if your grandparents get heavy, I'm going. "-

I warn him jokingly. We go up while we continue talking about everything and nothing. Henry opens the door and there are Snow and David enjoying tea.

- "Good evening." –

Henry says giving me a pass.

-"Hello Henry. Regina! Hi. What a surprise."-

Exclaims Snow.

- "Yes I am also surprised. Where is Neal? "-

I asked.

-"Hi Regina. We're fine. "-

David says sarcastically. Since when does this man know sarcasm?

- "I can see that. What I don`t see is the baby. Please don`t tell me that you also put him in a closet. Where is he? "-

I tell them jokingly, if I could only get his other daughter out of the closet it would be fantastic.

- "He's asleep; please do not wake him up. The last teeth are coming out and it's very, very hard to calm him down. "-

Snow tells me with extremely tired face. As if he knew we're talking about him, little Neal puts the scream in the sky.

- "God!" –

Says Snow getting up.

- "Let me take care of him." –

I offer her and without waiting for an answer I turn to the child and pick him up.

I make a bite appear in my hand that the child takes as if his life depended on it and calms down.

- "That's cheating." –

Snow says as he watches her son fall asleep.

- "She used magic." –

She continues with a pout worthy of the creature I hold.

-"Don`t be an idiot; I only made the bite appear. It calms him because it is cold and with chamomile. "-

I tell her with all the frustration I can have holding a baby in my arms. Sometimes I forget that even though this is their second baby it is the first time they go through all this.

- "Do you want something to drink?" - David asks when I make baby Neal sleep and put him in the crib.

- "A coffee will be nice, please." –

I say looking directly into his eyes and he doesn`t look down as he used to, not only that. He looks at me with a spark in his eyes. As if he knew a secret. Like a child who has chocolate hidden. But maybe I'm more tired than I thought.

- "I`ll make it for you. With 2 sugar, right? "-

Why does he have that silly smile on his face?

- "Yes, if you were so kind please." –

- "Regina there`s no need so much formality. After all, we are family. How have you been?"-

It's not just my face that shows surprise, the familiarity with which David goes towards me also surprises Henry and Snow. I don`t pay much attention.

I tell them that I have been working hard and I apologize for not having come before. The talk continues and eventually I take courage to ask about Emma.

- "She is much better." –

David hurries to answer. When I finish my coffee; that unlike Snow; David knows how to make, I get up and start to say goodbye. I don`t want to risk being here when Emma comes back.

- "I'll walk you to your car." –

Charming says.

- "It's not necessary." - This situation is making me uncomfortable.

- "I insist." –

He says putting on his coat. We go down the stairs in uncomfortable silence. What the hell is wrong with this man?

- "Thanks David, but it really wasn`t necessary. Good night. "-

I say opening the door of my car.

- "Regina ..." –

I stop. I watch him urging him to continue.

- "I just want you to know that I really consider you part of the family. And as such you can count on us. "-

He tells me with confidence

-"I know. You can also count on me. Let me know if you need help with Neal and his little teeth. "- I can`t stand it anymore. I get in my car and drive to my house.

The only good thing about this strange situation with David is that at least for one night my head will be occupied with something else. I don`t feel the loneliness of my huge and empty house. Nor my thoughts wander towards Emma.