"Mom, you are so Phoebe!" Samuel laughs.

"Hey! I am not that ditzy!"

"Not ditzy, just.. Special." Michael taps her leg.

"Gee, thanks." She chuckles then asks, "What time is it?"

"Um.. Damn, it's almost four o'clock." Sam looks at his phone.

"Watch that mouth, Samuel!" Jessica points her finger at him.

"Sorry." He laughs.

"It's okay...

Guess what time it is!" She smiles.

"Almost four, Sam just said that, ma." James looks at her funny.

"No, it's popcorn time!" She jumps out of bed and runs downstairs.

They all follow her and grab all kinds of junk food.

"James, grab a few Dr. Peppers. Ooh Oh! And Sam, grab those ding dongs!" Jessica says leaving the kitchen with her hands full.

Even though it was junk food, they wanted to take advantage of their mom's sudden want for food.

"Michael, hand me that Hershey bar, please baby."

Michael hands it to her and Samuel says, "This is the life.. Friends marathon, junk food, Dr. Pepper, and family.. It doesn't get any better than this." He smiles.

***

6:00 a.m.

"You guys, the sun's coming up! We stayed up all night!" Jessica smiles.

"Hey, we did!" Michael smiles.

"Yeah.. It's beautiful, isn't it?" She says looking out the window at the sun shinning through.

"It sure is.." James answers.

*Yawns* I think I'll sleep now. I don't have anywhere to go tomorrow, so I'm gonna sleep till my eyes just pop open." Jessica chuckles.

"That sounds good, I think I'll do the same!" Sam agrees.

***

"Jessie.. Jessica! You need to be careful!

... Something's com--

... Take care of yourself...

... Take care of ou--"

Jessica jerked up from her dream, and gasped, waking the boys up.

"You okay, mom?"

"I just dreamt of your father.."

"What did he say?"

"I don't know, there was fog or something between us.. His voice kept going in and out, but I heard him tell me to take care of myself."

"See mom? It's a sign from dad! He wants you to live life and stay happy, and healthy."

"... Yeah."

James sits up and rubs Jessica's back, then kisses the top of her head, "It's okay, mom."

Jessica was looking down, and she started to cry silently.

He wrapped his arms around her body for comfort and she leaned onto him.

***

Two days later.

"I just don't know what to do, Sarah." Jessica says leaning over the table with her hands in her hair.

"Well Evan and I will help you out with anything! We love you guys."

"Thank you... I just.. *Sighs* I know what I have to do.."

"What do you mean?"

"I have to sell the house."

"Sell the house?"

*Nods*

"Yeah, Sam told me too.. I didn't want to, but.. I think I have to. And I have to get a job."

"Wow.. Well maybe you can get a job, and we can help you out for a while.. You know, until you catch up with everything, and you won't have to sell the house."

"No.. No, I don't want your money. Thank you so much, but I need to do this myself. I don't even want my parents money."

"Jessica, there's no shame in borrowing from people that care about you and your boys."

"I know... I just wanna do this by myself.."

"Okay. But if you need anything, please let me know, okay?" Sarah holds her hands and looks into her eyes.

"Okay." Jessica nods.

"Thank you."

"Aw, sweetie, you're welcome!" Sarah hugs her tight.

***

The next day.

Today is Jessica's birthday. The boys wanted to make it special for her since it was her first without Sam, but they knew it was going to be an extremely difficult day.

"Happy Birthday, mom!" They walk in with breakfast for her.

"Awe! Thank you, boys!"

"You're welcome, mom!" Michael kisses her cheek.

"You guys didn't have to do this!" She smiles.

"Stop saying that, woman!" Sam says as James adds, "Hah! Yeah mom, we love doing this for you."

"Well thank you very much! It all looks delicious." She smiles and digs in.

"Are you boys gonna eat anything?"

"We grabbed something quick, we need to get to school soon."

"Oh right..."

"Do you want us to stay?" James asks.

"Hm? No.. No, you boys go to school, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, aunt Jane and Anne are gonna take me somewhere."

"Oh that's good! Where are you guys going?"

"Shopping, I think.. I don't know why though, they know I hate shopping!"

"Heh, well it'll be fun." He rubs her shoulder.

"Yeah.... *Sighs* Well you boys go to school and have a good day."

"You too, mom."

Jessica looks around the empty room and hears the most horrible sound; silence.

"Happy Birthday to me..." She whispers as she grabs a piece of bacon from the plate, and sticks it in her mouth before turning her head to look at Sam's side of the bed, and letting out a deep sigh.

***

"Jessie, you barely touched your food, what's wrong?"

"I don't feel well."

"Aw, I'm sorry." Jane says, before Anne asks, "So, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay."

"Yeah? How are the boys"

"They're great! I mean, they really are! They try so So hard to make me feel better.. They truly are concerned about me."

"What do you mean, concerned? Are you okay?"

"Well my husband just died, Anne." Jessica stares at her blankly.

"I know, but I mean.. is there something else going on? You can tell us, Jess."

"No, there's nothing.." She looks down and pushes the food around her plate."

Jane looks at Anne, then says, "Let's make this a weekly thing! We're gonna get you out of the house, little sis!"

"No.. I like being at home."

"Well it's just for the day!"

"Yeah Jess, it'll be fun!"

"... Well alright." She shrugs.

***

Two weeks later.

"James, maybe she doesn't need to go see a doctor."

"Michael, yes she does. She's still throwing up everyday!"

"But she's gaining weight, she doesn't look so sick anymore."

"I don't know.. I just.. I would feel better if she went."

"Okay.." Michael looks down.

"Hey.. You okay?"

"I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Well.. What if she goes to the doctor and they tell her that she's sick... What if it happens like it did with dad...

What if--"

"Michael! Don't think like that. Mom's fine.. She's just gone through a lot.

This is normal, but we still need to make her go to the doctor, just so they can tell that she needs to eat..

Maybe she'll listen, if she hears it from them."

"Yeah.."

"Mike, are you okay?"

"Yeah.."

"Listen bud, it's okay to cry.

I know you try not to, but it's healthy to cry."

"... I just... I miss him so much, James!" He looks up and cries.

"I wish things could go back to the way they were before! I want mom to be like herself again!

I don't want her to be sick! I just wish there was something I could do!"

"There is, Mike, and we're doing it..

Being there for her every day.. talking to her.. cleaning around the house.. talking about dad.. keeping his memory alive... We're doing everything we can for her."

Michael just looks at him and James pats his back.

"It'll be okay... Everything's gonna be fine.."

Later that day Jessica sat the boys down and said, "Boys.. There's something we need to talk about.."

"Is everything okay?" Sam asks.

"Um.. yeah..

Boys... This is something I wish I didn't have to do, but it's something I have to do.. and something your father told me I had to do... I tried avoiding it, but I don't think I can.."

"What is it, mom?"

"I have to sell the house."

"Sell the house? What?! No! Definitely not!"

"Sam, listen--"

"NO! This is our house! My dad's house! We are not going to sell it."

"Sam, calm down." James tells him.

"Fuck off, James!"

"Samuel!" Jessica raises her voice.

"Do not talk to your brother that way!"

"Mom, I don't give a fuck right now! What do you mean we have to sell the house?"

"We need the money, Sam."

"Then get a job!"

"Sam, stop it! Do not talk to her that way!" James cuts in as Jessica looks down.

"Get out of my face, James!" Sam pushes him away.

"Samuel, why are you acting this way?"

"Mom, you can't sell this house! I mean, dad taught us how to swim here.. how to ride a bike in this neighborhood.. We had our Saturday breakfast all together here... He-- He died here." Sam looks down.

"Sam, I know this is hard, but.. I just can't do it."

"Why haven't you tried getting a job?"

"I have, and you know what? You're sixteen years old. Why don't you help me out and get a job of your own?"

"Why just me? James is sixteen too. Or do you not want your favorite to lift a finger?"

"I don't have a favorite!"

"Besides, I've already got a job." James smiles at Sam, then looks at Jessica.

"You got a job, baby?!" She smiles.

"Mhm! I start on Monday."

"Oh I'm so proud of you! Thank you so so much, sweetie." She stands up and hugs him.

"No problem, mom."

Sam rolls his eyes and looks away.

"Sam.. I'm sorry.. I really am trying my best." Jessica looks at him with sad eyes.

"Yeah.. I'll be back."

"Where are you going, Samuel?"

"Out." He grabs Sam's keys and takes his truck.

Jessica sighs and rubs her head.

"... I can get a job too..." Michael says.

She looks at him and chuckles, "You're only thirteen, baby.. thank you though."

"Well I have birthday money you can have."

Jessica smiles and says, "It's okay, sweetie. Thank you for trying to help."

Michael goes to his room and she looks at James, "So, tell me about this job."

***

*Phone rings*

"Hello?!"

"Mom."

"Samuel! It's almost two o'clock! Why didn't you answer me?! Where are you?!"

"Shh mom.. don't be mad."

"Where are you?"

"I'm in Juvie."

"SAMUEL SHEPARD!"

"Mom, don't be mad, please!"

"What the fuck did you do?!"

"Nothing bad! I didn't think they'd bring me here! Mommy please come get me.." He says in a sad voice.

"Sam, What did you do?!"

"I drove to the cemetery to see dad.. I was upset and I went back to his truck.. I blared the music and sat on the hood."

"Okay.  What else?" Jessica could tell in his voice that, that wasn't all he did.

"I had a few rocks that I had picked up from the pond, and.. Well I-I threw them.. Hard... and I hit something."

"What did you hit?"

"A police car."

"Samuel!"

"Not only did I do that, he got me for breaking into the cemetery."

"Oh gosh, Sam! Why did you do this?!"

"I'm sorry! I didn't know a rock could break a cop's window.. Dad's right, I do have a good arm."

"Sam.."

"They said you have to come tomorrow at noon to pick me up."

*Sighs*

"I'll be there. Please be careful, Sam!  Are you with anyone?"

"Yeah, some scary guys."

"Oh God, I'm gonna be sick!" She grabs her stomach.

"Please be careful, Samuel!!"

"I will. I'm sorry, mom!"

"I know you are.."

"Well my times up.."

"Alright, try to get some sleep."

"I'll try."

"Goodnight, baby."

"Night."

Jessica hangs up the phone and curls up in a ball and cries.

James knocks on the door and Jessica tells him to come in.

"Where's Sam, it's two in the morning.. Why are you crying? What's wrong?"

"Your brother is an idiot!"

"What did he do?"

"He broke into the cemetery and threw a rock at cop's window, so he's spending the night in juvie."

"What?!" He asks shocked.

"I thought he was gonna go out and find a job!"

"I don't know about that boy...

I knew he was gonna act out like this.. it was too hard for him and I could see it building up.. I should have done something."

"It's not your fault, mom."

*Sighs* I want to believe that."