Unconditional Love

Abby Mae has two sons. Of course, they have real names, but she mentally refers to them as Always Busy and Just Lazy. Actually, Just Lazy is just a darn fool. He doesn’t do much of anything and told his aged mother the ‘universe’ will take care of him. And, when the universe doesn’t provide enough, a helping hand from his widowed mother is called for.

Today is Abby Mae’s birthday, 75 years, in fact, and she doesn’t expect to get a rain of gifts, let alone see or hear anything from her sons. It’s just as well. She doesn’t blame them, although her dead husband repeatedly told her, “You’re just too nice to them boys.”

“That’s what a mother does,” she replied. “Love unconditionally.”

The grown boys soon left home after their father died. Always Busy took a job in the suburbs, and Just Lazy moved out because he didn’t feel inclined to help his mother with simple chores. He grumbled that his mother should pay him for shoveling snow off the walk-way, or wash his own dishes, or simply get his mother a pillow for her back. She never missed them.

Instead, she got busy. She joined a book club, started painting, and volunteered at the library. That’s where she met Douglas.

“Happy birthday, my love.” Douglas is suited up and smells of Old Spice. He takes her hands and kisses her cheek colored with pink rouge. Abby Mae is still pretty and petite.

“Are you ready?” Douglas smiles at his future bride. He sets her suitcase in the trunk beside his. “I love you, Abby Mae.”

“This is my best birthday.” Abby Mae will love Douglas, unconditionally.

After six months, Always Busy and Just Lazy still won’t know their mother lives in Hawaii. She loves them, anyway.


Word Count: 300