They sat around talked for awhile until it was time for Tasha and Alice to leave.

Alice: Did he like his new room?

Shane: I didn’t show him yet.

Alice: He better like it. I had paint in places one should never have paint.

Shane: Bye Tash. Bye Alice.

Shane pulled into her driveway and held Angel’s hand as they walked up the steps.

Shane: I have a surprise for you.

Shane showed Angel his new room and Angel walked around it. He seemed to like the job she did. She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. Her son brought out so many emotions in her that she kept hidden before.

Shane: Do you like it?

Angel: Uh huh.

Shane played with Angel in his room for awhile and then bathed him for bed time. She dressed him into his pj’s and then read him a bedtime story. When the story was done she kissed him top of his head.

Shane: Good night my little boy.

Angel: I want to sleep with you.

Shane: Remember you said you were a big boy and big boys sleep in their own bed.

Angel pouted and it broke Shane’s heart.

Shane: Call me if you need me ok Angel.

Angel: Ok.

Shane turned on his night light, and then retreated into her bed. She was exhausted and it had been a long day. Hours later Shane awoke to the sound of Angel crying. She quickly threw on a long shirt to cover her naked body and by then the crying had turned into screams.

Angel: MOMMY

Shane ran towards his room and cursed out loud when she stepped on one of his toy trucks. She hobbled to his bed.

Shane: What is wrong?

Angel: I had a bad dream. I want mommy.

Angel continued to cry and reaching his arms up to Shane. Shane leaned over to pick him up into her arms and rock him.

Shane: Ok just relax sweetie, we’ll call your mommy.

Angel’s shook his head no. Shane continued to rock him though and humming softly to him.

Shane: Are you ok?

Angel: Yes mommy.

Shane pulled Angel from her and looked at his face.

Shane: What?

Angel: I’m ok now mommy. Just bad dream.

The reality of it hit Shane. When he was screaming for mommy he meant her not Carmen. Her son called her mommy, and it was the greatest feeling in the world even better than any drug or sex she ever tried. He knew who she was and he wanted her in his time of need. She sat with him in her lap on the bed.  She was shocked and astounded. All the fucked up things she did in her life she couldn’t fathom what she did to deserve this little boy in her life. She wasn’t worthy of such love and happiness. No there had to be a mistake but the feel of his warmth in her arms and the sound of his heartbeat made it real to her. Her son knew that she was his mother. No words could describe the happiness she felt and she became so overwhelmed that the simplicity of his action had this much of an effect on her. Joyous tears streamed down her face, and hit Angel’s. Angel looked up at her and touched her tear stricken face.

Angel: Don’t cry mommy. I love you.

Shane watched as he kissed her on the check and then smiled. She laughed through her tears and held him tightly to her body. Feeling the connection of a mother to her child.

Shane: I love you too Angel. More than you will ever know.

Tbc.