[It was easily one of the sorest subjects Wesley had ever not actively discussed with people. While his father had been more than accepting of events, Wes had always felt the stinging loss of his mother who had abandoned her first family in lieu of another one when he was three. Was she alive? Dead? Happy? Miserable? He sort of hoped for the last option, though he could never bring himself to say it.
His own marriage with Bridget didn't fare any better and he called his ex-wife first thing in the morning to wish her the best so he didn't have to suffer through her nagging calls in the evening. But today wasn't about either of them. Today was first and foremost about the barrel launching he'd promised for so long - and, in relation, his picnic with Grace. Now she was a woman worth more than simply acknowledging. It was somewhat shameful to admit, but he'd probably spent more time preparing their lunch together than he had double-checking the barrels and the lighters. He'd even bought her flowers, and while he'd always felt she deserved them, he was glad to hide behind the holiday. Maybe he really was developing feelings for her, but it was probably for the best that she not know that. Leave it to him to risk not learning about flying too high too quickly and falling too soon.
His excitement even barred the realization that there were white flowers popping up in his home that hadn't any logistical reason to be there. It wasn't until he sat down with a newspaper that he saw the budding plants on his shoes and side table.]
Barrel launching went off without a hitch today, thanks to all of the student participants and our substantial audience. I appreciated the enthusiasm as well as the good behavior. Maybe we'll think of something just as exciting for the end of summer classes, hm?
[Filtered to Grace]
Happy Mother's Day, Grace. Hope you and the boys had a great evening.
[Filtered to Janie]
Looks like we're having another school-wide event. You worried about roses popping up on your slabs? I know it's making me nervous about how my lab is going to look tomorrow morning.