Jane hung up the phone with Seth, her chest heavy and her eyes bleary. She had carved a special place in her heart for Seth even though he’d been an independent man for several years. She still felt responsible for him. Jane felt like his mother, though she knew she had little right to that title. Seth had essentially raised himself while she’d merely given him a roof to sleep under.

She took a deep breath. Her brunette bangs cascaded across her eyes, shielding her face from the prying eyes of her youngest child.

Without explanation, she stood up and made her way to the restroom.

Hidden in the small space, she let the tears fall freely. She kept her sobs silent though, hoping to avoid the intrusion of her baby girl.

Jane considered the government’s newest press release. The president had assured the citizens of Caledorn they were discussing the current situation with the Remdian government. He’d stood tall and proud as he stated everything was perfectly fine. He told all of Caledorn that there was nothing to fear and to continue life as usual.

Jane has heard the words and seen his strong pose, yet she wasn’t convinced. In the back of her mind, she felt like fleeing the country with her children, including Seth, and disappearing.

Her husband, who was much more convinced by the presidential speech, had told her she was worrying over nothing. He’d said that Remdia would never invade. He’d attempted to placate her worries and carried on as if everything was normal, all the while dread ate away at Jane.

She shook her head, knowing she’d have little luck persuading her stubborn husband not to believe in a government he respected. Choosing to avoid that hurdle, she thought of Seth, reflecting on his tone. Seth had sounded fine on the phone, yet she couldn’t help but feel it was all a façade. She just needed him to be okay. In that moment, she chose to trust him, hoping he’d find her if he was ever in trouble.

Jane glanced in the mirror. Beyond her brown hair, her face felt like it belonged to a future version of herself. The bags under her eyes spoke of a fifty-year-old who had seen the depths of a dead-end job. The wrinkles on her forehead pointed towards a grandmother who had too many grandkids to contend with. She didn’t recognize the face looking back at her.

She eventually wiped her eyes, tidied her face and pulled back her hair. She practiced a few smiles, hoping they’d convince her family.

Upon opening the door, she could hear the cackles of her little one breathing life into the house. She stepped into the kitchen and scanned for the source of jubilation. At the dining room table, her little baby sat on her nanny’s nap.

Their nanny was tickling the little girl, laughing along with her.

Jane froze for a moment, envious of the relationship the two shared. Jane had always been a busy woman, she worked multiple jobs. Hiring a nanny seemed easier than trying to juggle her schedule. But looking upon the love her daughter had for their nanny, she wasn’t sure she’d made the right decision.

When she decided to help Seth, her husband hadn’t yet entered her life. She had gotten the chance to truly spend time with him and watch him become a man she was proud of. She had two children after raising Seth, both of them were under the age of ten. Though her nine-year-old son had already gone to school for the day.

Jane coughed a little, gaining the attention of her daughter and nanny.

“Good morning, Mrs. Bixby.”

“Good morning, Jessica,” Jane cordially addressed the woman.

“Should I prepare the little princess breakfast before bringing her to school?” Jessica tickled the little girl on her lap as she spoke about her.

“Actually, no,” Jane said, stunning even herself. She collected her thoughts before explaining herself to a wide-eyed Jessica. “I would like to bring her to school this morning.”

“Oh. Alright then, Mrs. Bixby. I’ll get breakfast prepared and pack her a lunch,” Jessica smiled at the older woman, seemingly proud of the choice she’d made. Jane was unsure if she should be offended or appreciative of the support.

Jane sat in the chair next to her daughter, her poise infallible. She watched her daughter wriggle and laugh in the seat and Jane smiled in her direction. She let her back slouch and her worries disappear for a moment as she chose to be present.

Jane, her daughter and Jessica ate a delicious breakfast together that morning. They laughed and played with the youngest Bixby. Jane felt free for the first time in a long time.

All too soon, Jessica was tidying the table. Jane got her daughter ready for school and, after an appreciative nod to Jessica, the pair left.

Jane settled into the car, making sure her daughter was safely inside. She then took off towards the school that her daughter attended.

“Excited for school today, munchkin?”

“Yes, mommy!” the little girl responded.

“Oh? And why are you so excited?” Jane asked genuinely curious.

“Jerry and Olivia are there! They are my best friends!” The little girl glowed as she spoke about her friends.

“Oh! That’s exciting! You should bring them over to our house some time! I want to meet your friends too!”

“Yay! Thanks, mommy!”

Jane smiled, glancing in the rearview mirror. Her daughter was staring out the window, wearing a smile brighter than the sun.

The pair pulled up to the school and after a quick kiss goodbye, Jane’s daughter sprinted away, disappearing into the chaos of the other students.

“Love you, Paige!” Jane called after her, but she was already gone. Jane smiled, vowing to spend more time with her family from that day on.

She jumped in the car, ready to begin her day of work. Without Paige to entertain her, she turned on the radio. The happiness she had felt, blew away in an instant.

“Remdian and Caledornian peace talks seem to be going poorly as more troops flood to the border.”