Standing off to the side at the depot, Lou watched as Kid straighten the boy's tie and spoke low to him. In a moment, their son-her baby-would be gone off to find a life of his own. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of what he had accomplished, but he would be gone.
Swallowing back the tears that threatened to overtake her, Lou began to walk over to them. With each step she took a different memory flashed across her mind.
There was the day he was born, Rachel had handed him to her wrapped in a small white blanket. She had been frightened for a moment then he'd opened his eyes and looked up at her. At that moment he stole her heart. That was the day she had become a mother.
Another step and another memory came rushing back. His first birthday, his first step and then the first time they had taken him to the swimming hole. She had thought if he went under the water for a moment he would be frightened and stay away from it. Again he had surprised her for when he came up he was laughing. He loved the water and soon after started swimming. As a boy he had spent many a summer day fishing or swimming in the creeks and ponds nearby.
He was a lot like Kid in his feeling of right and wrong. She'd seen him fight for his brothers when they were teased or when he believed he was right. He stood up for what he believed in but he was by no means an angel.
He'd been a typical boy leaving his room a mess and skipping chores to go fishing or play with friends. Teaspoon had caught him a couple of times racing through town. He had argued with his father about any subject that came up. Sometimes she swore they would disagree about the color of the sky just to argue. But no one else in town could say a word against the other.
She sighed as she drew closer. Her boy was grown and into a man to be proud of. He was on his way now into the world. She prayed he found a kinder one than she had known at first. She prayed he'd find friends as she had and people to love him. She fought back the tears as she reached him.
"Be good," she told him as she hugged him tight. Her voice was husky from the tears that she swallowed back. As she released him she looked up at him.
With the grin he'd flashed her since he was a baby he replied, "I will. I love you, Momma."
"All aboard," the conductor called.
Picking up his bag and with one last hug to them both he was gone off to become a man that would make them proud.
"Bye, my baby," Lou whispered as Kid put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
The End
A/N For my J. I'm proud of you.