//

At school-

"Brenda," Cory greeted the lunch lady.

"Hi, Cory. My little tiger likes his gravy, doesn't he?" Brenda asked with a smile.

"Oh, Cory likes the way Brenda does it." He began to describe the food as it was done in front of him. "Ooh, she builds a nice potato mountain, and then she turns it into a horrible volcano of doom. Oh, look at the lava running down the volcano. Run, peas. Hide behind the roll." Topy and I chuckled causing Cory to turn to us. "What, you don't see that?"

I smile, patting Cory's shoulder. "Never change, buddy," I tell him.

"Brenda, do you have any more cherry pie?" Topy asked.

"Please, tell me you do," I plead.

"No, sweetie. I'm sorry, we're all out. Sorry." Brenda paused. "Oops, forgot. I accidentally hid two pieced under the counter. Looks about your size, too."

I grin, grabbing two plates for me and Topy. "Thank you."

"Aw, you never let us down, Brenda," Topy added.

As we walked away, Shawn rushed to Cory and I. "I got a major problem."

"Oh, you never let me down, babe," I say.

"How long has it been since I've seen my mother?" Shawn asked.

"You mean since she took her little vacation?" Cory asked.

"She ran away. She ran away for a year, Cory. Deal with it. I have," Shawn stated.

"And you're doin' much better," I say.

"Thanks. Now, how long has it been since I've seen my mother?" 

I shrug as Cory answered, "I don't know."

"How long do you think it's been?" I ask Shawn.

"A minute. I saw my mom, Betts. She was right across the street at the Trailer View Motel. She was looking through her window at our trailer." My eyes went wide. "Guys, my mom's back."

***

At Shawn's trailer, we explained what Shawn told us about Virna to Mr. Hunter.

"You're telling me for the last year I've traipsed across these United States searching for my long lost Virna and you find her right across the highway?" Mr. Hunter asked.

"It's her, Dad. She's been watching us," Shawn said.

"How long she been there? How's she look? When's she comin' home?"

"I don't know. I haven't gone over there yet."

"Why not? I'm afraid I'm gonna chase her away again."

"Shawny," I say softly, hugging his side.

Mr. Hunter stood up as he explained, "You didn't chase her away. You're the only reason she stayed here as long as she did."

"Thanks, Dad," Shawn said.

"Why's she over there spyin' on us? Hey, she's probably after my secret plans."

"What secret plans?" Cory asked.

"Nice try, Corky."

"Guys, let's talk. You been looking for this woman for a year, and now you've found her. Now go get her before she leaves again," Cory told them as Shawn and Mr. Hunter sat at the table.

"No, no. It's like some beautiful butterfly that sat down just for a moment on the branch next to you, and you know if you so much as breathe wrong, it'll fly away and you'll never see it again."

"So this is a real delicate situation," I state.

"What we need is someone who won't be thought of as a threat," Mr. Hunter said, looking to me.

"Dad, she may look sweet and she is but she's scary," Shawn stated causing me to lightly hit his shoulder.

"Yeah but Virna always liked Beth," Mr. Hunter stated.

"Aw," I say and look to Cory. "I think I know someone who isn't threatening."

Cory had a butterfly on his hand. "Hello. Hello," he cooed before noticing our gaze. "What?"

"Bingo."

***

I knocked on the motel door which was opened rather quickly, revealing Virna.

"Come on in, Betty and Cory. I've been expecting you," Virna told us.

We entered the motel room causing me to ask, "Really? You have?"

She nodded. "I saw you through the window crossing the turnpike."

"Then you know how lucky we are to be alive," Cory stated.

She smiled before hugging me which I hug back. "It's nice to see you, Betty."

"It's nice to see you, too," I say, hugging her back.

She hugged Cory next. "Oh, you're growin' up real handsome."

"Thanks."

"Look, we're just here to tell you on behalf of Shawn and Mr. Hunter," I began.

"Couple of chickens," Cory muttered, earning a nudge in the ribs from me.

"That they miss you. They miss you very much," I continue.

"Yeah, well, I miss them, too," Virna said.

"Well, if they miss you, and you miss them, then why aren't you guys together?" Cory asked.

"Well, I suppose I could just go over there, and we'd all have ourselves a big emotional reunion. We'd hug and kiss and five minutes would go by, and then where would we be?"

"Well, you'd be a family."

"No," she answered, sitting on her bed. "We'd just be together. I left because we were three unhappy people livin' under the same tin roof. Just bein' married doesn't make you a good husband and wife. And just havin' a little boy doesn't make you a good father and mother."

"Yeah. I guess you have to wanna be," I said as I sat beside Virna as did Cory.

"I know I have no right to hope for anything because I left my family, but in that time, I learned that all I wanna be is a good wife and a good mother, but I need to know that Chet wants to be a good father, too."

"Well, okay, then. I'll just go back and tell them that," Cory said.

"It doesn't help comin' from you. But from my family, I need to see it happen in its own time."

"Well, how long are you gonna wait here?" I ask.

She didn't answer, only patted my cheek. "You're good kids for bein' their little messengers, and if you wanna take back a message, go tell Shawn I love him." I nod. "And you give him a big kiss right on the lips for me."

I nod once more while Cory said, "I'll definitely do some version of that."

***

We arrived back at Shawn's trailer.

"Eight lanes and not one stinkin' island. I mean, you gotta be Moses to get across that highway," Cory complained.

"Well, Moses, is she in, or is she out?" Mr. Hunter asked.

I sigh. "Look, I can only tell you guys is she's gonna be watchin' you from right where she is," I say.

"That's creepy. And somewhat exciting."

"So what do we do now, Dad?" Shawn asked.

"Guess we stand next to the window and try to look appealing," he answered.

They both turned to the window and smiled.

***

At school-

"Where's Brenda?" I ask as it was lunchtime.

"Yeah. She's never been sick a day in her life," Topy added.

"She's probably playing hooky," Cory stated.

"Where would a lunchroom lady play hooky?"

Mr. Feeny walked in the cafeteria, calling, "May I have your attention, please? Please?" We all fell silent. "It is my sad duty to inform you that Brenda Hibbard, our lunchroom lady, has passed away."

What?" I question with a frown.

"Mr. Feeny, she was just here yesterday, doing the lava on my mashed potato volcano," Cory said.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Matthews," Mr. Feeny told him. "Uh, may we-Can we have a moment of silence in her remembrance?"

I grab Cory's hand as we all bowed our heads for silence. Then, it was gone by the normal chatter of the students.

"Wait, wait, wait. Mr. Feeny, aren't we going to do something here, like have an assembly or a ceremony?" Cory asked our principal.

"No. No, Mr. Matthews. There's nothing planned at the moment."

"That's sad," I say.

"It truly is, Ms. Cooper," Mr. Feeny replied before walking away.

I pull Cory into a hug. "I'm sorry, buddy," I tell him.

***

I came by Cory's house, everything through the back door.

"Betty," Mrs. Matthews greeted. "Good morning. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Oh, I would love breakfast," I say, sitting in a chair as she placed some food on a plate for me. "This sure beats frozen waffles."

Eric came downstairs. "Bye, Mom. No time to eat. I got to go. I gotta catch Dad for a ride to work."

He went out of the door as Mr.  Matthews came downstairs. "Where's Eric?"

"Outside," I answer.

Mr. Matthews kissed Mrs. Matthews's head before also heading out.

"Morning," I greet Morgan as she came downstairs.

"Morgan, would you like to have some breakfast?" Mrs. Matthews asked.

"Sure, I'd love some," Morgan sat down but a car horn outside stopped her.."I'm sorry, but Tina's mom gets really upset if I don't have breakfast with them."

She left as well as Cory came downstairs. "Cory, aren't you gonna have somethin' to eat?" Mrs. Matthews asked.

"Mom, Brenda, the lunchroom lady, died. Food would hurt too much right now," Cory explained.

"Oh, the lunchroom lady died? Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."

"I know. I mean, all those years of serving food to kids who never appreciated her, and then she dies. Some life, huh?"

Cory left causing Mrs. Matthews to pause. I stopped eating in realization. "Oh," I say. "Mrs. Matthews, if it makes you feel better, I'll eat as much as I can until I'm full because your food is just that great."

Mrs. Matthews smiled. "Oh, thank you, Betty."

"I learned you have to appreciate the little things because you don't know how good you have it until it's gone."

***

At Shawn's trailer, I knocked on the door causing Shawn to call out to come in.

Cory and I enter to see Shawn and Mr. Hunter laughing. "Wow, genuine smiles that's not at the window," I state.

"Hey, look, here's when me and your mother were teachin' you to ride a two-wheeler," Mr. Hunter pointed out, showing Shawn a picture.

"So our family wasn't messed up all the time, was it, Dad?" Shawn asked.

"No. We had a Kodak moment or two."

Shawn showed Cory and me the picture. "It looks like you're riding indoors," Cory stated.

"Oh, sure. That's Toys 'R' Us," Mr. Hunter answered. "That's Shawn ridin' down aisle five."

"We couldn't actually afford to buy a bike," Shawn added.

"You look adorable," I tell Shawn.

"Money was a little short that year. Sorry about that, Son," Mr. Hunter said.

"Hey, it doesn't matter to me. Fun is fun," Shawn replied.

"You guys have been up all night looking at pictures?" I ask.

"Yeah. Yeah. Boy, time really flies when you're Well when you stick around and hang out with your son." Mr. Hunter picked up a picture and laughed. "Hey, look. Here's you on a bear rug. That's your butt."

"Oh, let me see," I say, glancing at the picture.

***

Cory and I missed school to go to Brenda's funeral. I stood in front of Cory, fixing his tie.

"There we go," I say.

"Thanks," Cory told me. "Betty, have you been to a funeral before?"

"Once," I answer. "My grandma's funeral when I was little. It was shortly after my dad left."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. But my grandma was my mom's emotional support just as Zack was for me when dad left so I think you can imagine how much that hurt my mom."

Cory nodded. "10 times worse, right?"

I nod. "But this time isn't about me. Come on." Cory interlocked arms with me as we walked deeper into a funeral home where there weren't a lot of people just one man who made his back turned to the casket. "This is a painful turnout."

Cory tapped the man on the shoulder. "Excuse me, Mr. Undertaker, sir. It's my first time in a funeral home and I'm a little nervous. Could you please tell me what it is I'm supposed to do?"

The man turned around, revealing it was Mr. Feeny, startling Cory and I. "You're supposed to be in school, Mr. Matthews, Ms. Cooper."

"Mr. Feeny, you don't do that to a person. Especially in a place like this," Cory replied.

Mr. Feeny listened to Cory's previous words though. "Ah. First time you've ever been in a place like this?"

"Yeah. You know, I didn't even know her. I mean, all I know is that she served us food."

"She's was there for us on our first day of high school when it was scary," I admit as Cory and I sat down.

"But there's gotta be more to a person's life than that," Cory added.

"Oh, Cory, don't lightly dismiss something that meant the world to this woman," Mr. Feeny replied.

"Serving us food?" I ask.

"That's right. And she loved you kids. When anyone would ask her if she had children, she always said, 'I have 900'."

I smiled at that while Cory asked, "I mean, she didn't have any kids of her own?"

"Not everyone's that blessed," Mr. Feeny answered. "But she did have a place where she was cared about, a place where she knew she belonged. That blessing she recognized. I, for one, will miss her."

"I will too," I say.

"Yeah, well, her 900 kids are gonna miss her, too," Cory said.

I thought about something and asked, "Mr. Feeny."

"Ms. Cooper?" he asked.

"How do you make people feel that they're wanted and they should be together even if they don't recognize it?" I question.

"Do you recognize it?"

I paused. "Yeah, I think I do."

"Well, then, tell them, Ms. Cooper. That's what friends are for."

Cory and I share look before standing up. "Thanks," I tell him.

As we walked out, Mr. Feeny called, "And be careful crossing that highway."

"Will do."

***

Past the highway and all, Cory and I made it to Virna's motel room. I knocked on the door which Virna answered. "Well, if it isn't Cory and Betty, the little go-between children." We stepped into her motel room as she opened the door for us. "And what message do you carry today?"

"No message, Mrs. Hunter. We're here on our own," I say.

"Well, you're awful dressed up. Do you intend on asking me to a picture show?"

"Actually we're dressed up because we just came back from saying good-bye to someone we really cared about," Cory explained.

"Oh. I'm sorry," Virna apologized.

"Yeah. But I guess I never really realized how much I cared about her until after she was gone."

"Yeah. Well, unfortunately, sometimes it takes leavin' to make you realize what you had."

I spoke up, running my hands nervously over my dress. "Look, I know you left because you guys weren't a happy family, but you wouldn't have come back this far, to this place unless you felt like they were still your family waiting for you across the road."

"Betty, I did the worst thing somebody can do. I gave up and left," Virna said.

"Well, you know, they felt like they did the worst thing by driving you away. But you weren't gone for years, God knows where, like some people."

"Well, you've been back and forth between us. What do you think?" Virna asked.

"Well, I...I think..." Cory began. "Okay. I think you can make a hole in somebody's mashed potatoes, okay?" I smiled at this. "And you can make that gravy come down just like lava, and you can do it and they'll never appreciate it, until the first day it's not there."

"I think he means that you can take advantage of the little things but you never realize how good you have it until it's gone," I explain.

"But you, Mrs. Hunter, you're so lucky because you get to come back and find out that they've learned to appreciate it now."

"You think they do? You think they want me back?" Virna questioned.

"Well, I think you'll never find out until you cross that highway and knock on the door," I tell her.

Virna started getting teary-eyed. "You know, it's dangerous crossing that highway."

"Believe me, we know," I say.

"But, you know, maybe once you get there, you'll be happy, so you'll just wanna stay," Cory added.

Virna stayed silent, looking out the window. I grabbed Cory's arm. "Come on."

"Hey, Betty, Cory," Virna called.

"Yes, Mrs. Hunter?" we reply

"Shawn's got good friends," she told us.

I smile as Cory told her, "Yeah, well, he's got a good mom, too. Lucky guy."

***

At my house, Shawn sat on my bedroom window and I sat beside him.

"...So I think my mom's back," Shawn said. "For good this time."

"I'm happy for you, Shawny," I tell him.

"All thanks to you and Cory," he said, pressing his forehead to mine.

I smile, kissing his lips. "You're welcome."

"I love you, Ponytail."

I press my lips to his longer. "I love you, Prince Charming."

"Is there any way I can repay you?" Shawn asked.

I glanced at the window in Cory's house. "Anyway?" I ask.

"Yeah, that's what I said, Betts."

"Kiss me right now and I'll tell you the plan later."

"Got it," Shawn replied, pulling me into him and kissing me.

***

At the Matthews's home the next day, I got there early and went to Cory's room.

"Betty, you're here early," Cory said as he grabbed his backpack.

"Yeah, your mom's making breakfast," I say.

"She makes breakfast every morning."

We went down the stairs. "Yeah, but everyone has been skipping breakfast even though she works hard to make it."

"Oh," Cory said.

"Yeah. Come on," I tell him as we entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.

Mrs. Matthews looked kind of shocked to see Cory was sitting and eating and not just me.

"Mom, thanks for making me breakfast," Cory told her.

"Thanks for making me breakfast, Mrs. Matthews," I tell her.

***

At the funeral home, Mr. Feeny told Cory and I, "Mr. Matthews, Ms. Cooper, normally, your little schemes alarm me, but I must say, with this one, you've outdone yourself."

"Yeah. I still think you take your mashed potatoes a little too seriously," Mr. Turner told him.

"That's what makes him, Cory," I say, wrapping an arm around my best friend.

"Yeah. Nice work."

"Well, the woman did have 900 children," Cory said.

"Just thought they should all get their chance to say good-bye," I say.

Shawn, Topy, Zack, Archie, and Frankie came in with lunch trays with roses on them and placed them on the casket then the rest of the school did.

***