Hidden Burdens

Mother's Day

The week leading up to Mother’s Day, John had sent a card to his previous foster mother. It seemed like a no-brainer to do so since he had stayed with that foster family for the entirety of high school up until this last semester. But when Ben and Kimmy had taken Samson for a walk Saturday afternoon, his heart broke while Ben flipped through the mail on his way back and saw that yellow label over half of John’s cursive handwriting, with instructions for the card to be returned to sender.

Ben didn’t say anything until they got back to the house where John was putting the finishing touches on the painting, blending Kimmy’s house and dog more into the background so they didn’t look out of place from his and Claudia’s additions. He asked Kimmy to give them a minute or two, who had followed Ben out to the back patio, once John finished reassuring her there was nothing wrong with her house and dog, and that there wasn’t much needed done to them other than the blending. Though the look on the kid’s face showed she wasn’t one hundred percent reassured, Kimmy headed back inside the house, leaving the guys alone. 

Pulling a chair out, Ben passed John the returned Mother’s day card. 

John took the card with his left hand since he was holding the paintbrush in his right. He glanced at it before setting the card off to the side and gratefully thanked Ben. It wasn’t apparent whether the smile was real or a front. The young man always seemed optimistic, including around bad news. 

Ben felt inclined to ask, “You wanna talk about it, kiddo?”

John optimistically shrugged it off like it wasn’t a big deal. “I was just reaching out to say thanks for all she did over the last four years. I’m sure my foster mom appreciated it, nonetheless. No biggie.”

“I would think it would be a huge… biggie.” He wasn’t exactly sure how else to put it. 

But John continued to shrug. “I already have two great ladies I call Mom in Heaven. Plus, my big sister. And Kayla has been great these last few months helping prepare me for college,” he quickly added, proudly. 

Ben smiled for John. Not just because his wife was mentioned, but how well John was accepting this rejection, knowing he had plenty of other women in his life when Ben would have dwelled on the negative. That day continued to weigh heavy on Ben’s mind when he had “stood up to his mom.” Kayla had tried to talk with him later that night, in their room, but Ben just did not want any more lectures and not talk about the shame he felt. 

Apparently Kayla had discussed it with Herb that afternoon over the phone, who had asked Dinah what happened. All she said was, Ben had said his peace and was being over dramatic about the whole thing. Ben hadn't even needed to apologize. With reassurance, Kayla did not push her husband to talk and left it alone for now. But that meant she was taking on more of the lead again until he was ready. 

Reaching out, Ben gave John’s forearm a gentle squeeze, reminding him if John needed to talk he could come to him. Saying that made Ben feel like a hypocrite before the words even left his mouth.

“I know,” John replied and thanked him. The young man maturely reassured he actually was okay. 

Ben stood up, pushing in the chair to head inside.

-- & -- 

The kids were the first ones up before the adults. Even Claudia was up and about. 

Ben came downstairs and found all three busy in the kitchen, cooking all of Kayla’s breakfast favorites. John was working on the bacon and potatoes while Claudia was showing Kimmy how to make French toast. Neither of them would let Ben pitch in, despite him pointing out it was Kayla’s special day, not his. But they were under orders from Kayla herself. They did not know why except that Ben was under stress from a personal, family matter.