The Talk with Mom

I had just gotten back inside after helping Dad out in the fields. I liked helping Dad out in the fields. It gave me time to spend with him after three years of not visiting my parents due to my former job. It also gave me time to repay him and make up for the time loss. I much rather work for Dad than my last stressful, time consuming job any day!

Then I had a thought. Dad seemed to be hiding something from me. What was it? He may be hard on me at times, but I'm still his son and he's still my dad. At the end of the day, I still am going to worry about him and just want him safe, as well as Mom. How could I not? They're my parents! It's more worrisome now that zombies are around. Mom said they blocked them off by sealing off the tunnel and were now safe with the other villagers, but the zombies could break down the entrance to the village any moment now.

I then saw Mom. She seemed to be looking for something. I was curious about this, so I approached her.

"Mom?" I wanted to know. "What's wrong? Are you looking for something?" Mom looked at me.

"I'm looking for my dang step stool." She told me. "I'm doing laundry and I need it because I can't reach the detergent on my own. It's too high."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that, Mom. I'm home. I can help." Mom was surprised.

"Really? You sure you're not tired from helping Dad out in the fields?" I smiled.

"I'm fine. I can even help with the laundry if you want." It was Mom's turn to smile.

"Thank you, Akira. It's nice to know that I have such a nice and caring son that wants nothing more but to help out his aging parents." I smiled.

"Of course, Mom! I'm just glad to be home and to help out around here!"

After I helped Mom with the laundry, we went into the kitchen. Mom had poured tea for the both of us. I had wanted to help with the tea as well, but Mom told me that she could do it, so I let her. (I stayed close to her just in case she needed my help though).

"Your father and I are glad you are back home, Akira." Mom told me after a sip from her tea.

"I'm glad I'm back home too, Mom." I said back.

"We were both very worried about you when this zombie outbreak started. We didn't know that you were safe or got affected and became a zombie yourself. You didn't call." I frowned.

"I'm sorry I didn't call either, Mom. I should have. Instead I was just being selfish and just did the things that I wanted. I'm a very bad son." Mom looked at me.

"Oh, son, don't say that. You're the very best son that we have, cliche as that sounds. Your father and I are lucky to have you."

"Thanks, but I have to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Ever since this whole pandemic started, my life has gotten better. I have never been happier." She was confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"I knew you wouldn't understand, and who can blame you? I mean, what kind of deranged psycho would much prefer the end of the world over their work? What is wrong with me?"

"Your job was that bad, huh? Your dad told me you hated working after your second day. He said that you wanted to quit." I sighed, but nodded.

"Yes. It was so bad that I had an adult temper tantrum. Can you believe it? Your adult son having a temper tantrum like a spoiled little brat. I also was thinking of committing suicide. I was thinking of going to that one forest. Glad I didn't. Then I wouldn't be able to see what other things life had to offer me back then, now, and for the future."

"I'm glad too. I would be devastated knowing that my son hated his life so much that he killed himself. So would your dad and everyone else that you touched." She then sighed as she changed the subject. "It's important to work, Akira. Mental health is also super important. Too much stress is never good. If you can't do it, you can't do it. Don't push yourself. You have to know your limits and your breaking point. And nothing is wrong with you, nothing at all." I smiled at her, knowing that she was right. I then frowned again.

"You know what else? Kencho said I should've quit when I complained about my job when we were both out at a bar three years ago. I yelled at him saying that I couldn't afford to quit. I was so mad that we didn't talk for three years. But he was right. I should have quit when he told me. That was my mistake."

"Kencho was just looking after you and your well-being."

"You're right. Kencho's a good friend. I still regret not quitting back then though."

"Well, the past is the past. There's nothing we can do about it." I smiled again.

"Right you are, Mom." She then changed the topic.

"Well, I imagine you are not working now because of the zombies, and now that you have time off, you went all of this way to visit us. It was a blessing in disguise. It might have taken some time, but you are here, just the same. We couldn't be happier." I looked at her.

"Even Dad? Why did he punch me in the head like that? I was pouring out my heart and soul to you guys. And I meant every world of what I said. It wasn't nonsense."

"Even Dad. And he knew deep down that it wasn't nonsense. He might be hard on you sometimes, but at the end of the day, he loves you just like any other good father out there." I smiled.

"Thanks, Mom. It's nice to hear that."

"Of course."

"When my friends and I first came here, and we saw no one outside, I was really worried that you, Dad, and everybody else, well, you know. It was a relief knowing that you guys were all safe."

"I'm very sorry that you were worried, but knowing that we are all safe now, and all together, that's what really matters. We might be living in uncertain and scary times now, but we have to be optimistic. We are stronger in numbers."

"You are so right, Mom." Wow! This talk with Mom is really touching! Maybe I can tell her that I quit my job after all. and hopefully will look for a job after this is all over. Then I thought of Dad and what I told him over the phone three years ago. He didn't want me to quit. He wanted me to keep going and would hate it if I ever quit. Mom might be better over me quitting my job, but you can never really know about these things, and that is what terrifies me the most.

Thinking this over, I decided that I wasn't ready to tell them about my job situation. I wanted to wait for the right time. I don't know when that'll be, but I know I will have to tell them eventually. For now, I was just glad to be back in my hometown of Gunma, with my parents, friends, and the other villagers. I am just glad that we are all safe and that we are all together.