Author's Note: While most of my stories are either true or, at least, based on true events, this one is fantasy only as I've never had children. However, "Blue Eyes", this is for you. Thanks for the inspiration. "Mom"
Jane sighed heavily, looking around the office, wondering what she could do next to keep busy. Her boss grinned at her,
"Bored yet?"
Jane gave a crooked smile back and nodded,
"Yeah, I was trying to figure out what to do next. I can't believe it's so slow."
Vanessa shrugged,
"It's Spring Break. Most of our customers are away."
Glancing at her watch, she continued,
"Look, it really is slow and there's not a lot left here you can do. Why don't you call it a day and take the afternoon off."
Jane's eyes widened briefly and she tried to put forward a "responsible employee look" (whatever that may be!).
"Are you sure, Van?"
The other woman chuckled and nodded,
"I'm sure. I'm the boss. Now go enjoy the afternoon off."
Jane grinned,
"Ok, boss lady. If you insist! Thanks!"
Vanessa watched as Jane got into her car, then drive off. She didn't mind giving Jane the afternoon off. It really was slow and there was no point both of them being bored. She knew that when things got busy again after the break, she could count on Jane to be there.
Jane hummed along to the radio as she drove home, enjoying the relatively traffic-free streets. She was so lucky having landed this job. While it didn't pay what she was used to, it was still enough to live on and have a bit left over. Besides, the owners of the business were such nice people, that it more than made up for the dip in salary. Jane couldn't remember the last time she had actually enjoyed going to work; yet it was something she did now.
Having a job and being happy at it had affected her personal life, also. She was a lot more easy going at home, which made things easier for both her and her son. Jane had been one of those young girls that managed to get herself knocked up early – at 15 to be exact. Now, 25 years later, she was proud of how well she had handled things.
After a tearful confession to her parents, and adamant refusal to give the child up, she spent her teenage years going to school and working part time to help support her child. She had even managed, with the help of her parents, to save enough to go to college. After graduation, she had landed a well paying job that allowed her to save for, and finally purchase, a small house for her and her son. They didn't have a lot of luxuries, but they weren't starving either.
Paul had been a good kid and grew up adoring his mother. He knew how hard she worked to make things good for him and he always did his best to please her and make her proud of him. Once in high school, he managed to keep straight A's and hold down a part time job, proudly handing his weekly cheque to his mother for his "share" of the bills.
Each time he did this, Jane would feel the love and pride in her son swell up inside her and, while the money would have helped a great deal, she put it into a separate bank account for the day Paul would want to go to college.
As Paul grew into manhood, his mother was amazed at how good-looking he was; yet he never seemed to have a girlfriend. She hoped he wasn't gay, not because she was against it, only because she didn't want him to have to go through the pain she knew would be waiting. She had seen it happen with friends. She was relieved to find a couple of old Playboy's under his bed one day when he was about 14.
All the time he was growing up, Jane never dated. Her entire life was devoted to her son. Sure, there were times when she was lonely for companionship her own age, but each time she reminded herself that this was her decision and her responsibility.