how could he

When Jonah heard Noah speak of how troubled his Mom was about him, he almost lost it.

How could he forget about her? He felt bad, but he dreaded seeing her just the same. He didn't know what to say.

"You're not a jerk." Lex told him after he got off the phone with his brother.

"I'm worse than a jerk, I'm an asshole, plain and simple." He said quite sadly. There was a time when he and his mother were really close. They were so distant now. He didn't think he could possibly apologize enough for all he'd done.

"Stop saying that." Lex winced. They were in their room. She grabbed both of his hands. He smiled then as if she'd brought him back to reality. His feet hurt so from standing so much at the grocery store. He sat back on the wobbly bed and pulled her into his lap. This was where he wanted to be. Not thinking about what a horrible son he was. He kissed her then as if she'd make him forget.

"We are going over to you Mom's." She pulled away.

"Do we have to? Right this moment?" Jonah squinted.

"Yes, I haven't seen Josie in forever. Your brother, too." She stared at him as if she could move him to do anything with those sad eyes of hers.

"God, I hate, having her so angry." He winced.

"She'll be happy to see you. She will." Lex got to moving. She didn't stay in his lap long. She went to find him a nice shirt to wear.

"Isn't this a girl's shirt?" He examined the label.

"Well, you're wearing my pants, anyway, whats the difference?" She glared back at him as she put on some lip gloss.

She did have a point. He pulled off his dingy T and buttoned up the black shirt.

"Good enough?" He asked.

"Well, for me." She smiled. Really, that was all that mattered, didn't it?