Holidays

Chapter 7: Mother’s Day: Joel

Joel bought his mother a bouquet of roses for Mother’s Day. He bought them a week in advance and kept them in a vase in his room until the second Sunday in May.

On Sunday, he rushed downstairs and heard his father making his mother breakfast.

“Joel, bring this upstairs to your mom and be careful to not drop it. I’ll meet you up there in a minute. I have to finish cleaning up,” Joel’s dad precautionarily told him.

“Okay,” Joel said with a smile. He walked slowly as to not drop the tray of food. He heard his father come up the stairs.

“I got the door.”

“Happy Mother’s Day!” Joel and his dad shouted loud enough to wake up mom.

Joel’s mother woke up and smiled. She sat up and started to fix her pillows so she could be comfortable.

“No, it’s your day. Let me get that for you!” Joel’s father said. He moved the pillows to the horizontal position, so they’re leaning on the bed’s headboard.

Joel rushed out of the room and returned with the bouquet of roses still dripping with water. They continued to drip on the bed as his mother grabbed the wrapped flowers.

“These are beautiful,” his mother said. “Joel, go put these in some water.”

“Will do,” Joel replied as he took the flowers back. He rushed downstairs, filled a vase with water in the sink, and carefully set the flowers in the vase.

He speed-walked back upstairs and placed the clear vase and flowers on the nightstand. “You’ll get your card later tonight at dinner.”

“Oh, where are you guys taking me?”

“You’ll see,” Joel’s father said as he handed her a bouquet of sunflowers.

“Sunflowers, you didn’t have to.”

“I did have to. Joel, let’s leave your mother alone to finish her breakfast.”

“Alright, but what about the-” Joel said before his father walked out of the room and shut the door.

“Alright, Happy Mother’s Day — again. See you later.” Joel left the room.

Five o’clock came around and Joel’s mother came downstairs in a dark blue dress.

“Don’t wait up for me boys. I’m going out,” Joel’s mother joked.

“Honey, you look gorgeous,” Joel’s dad replied.

“Thanks, now, let’s go. I’m wearing a girdle and it’s about to pop.”

Joel took his attention away from the TV and looked at his mother.

“Let’s go!”

Joel and his father put on their shoes and took the keys.

“Dad, can I drive?” Joel asked as he stepped down the concrete stairs in front of the house.

“No, son. I know where we’re going.”

“But so do I.”

“I don’t want this to be a driving lesson.”

“It won’t, I have my license.”

“This day isn’t about you, Joel. It’s about your mother.”

“Fine.”

They all got in the car and his dad drove them to the restaurant.

Later, they entered the Common Woman restaurant.

“Party of three, under the first name Samuel,” Joel’s father said to the host.

“Right this way.”

They followed the host to their table.

“A waitress will be right with you,” the host said.

They sat down and ordered their drinks when the waitress arrived.

Joel’s mother noticed her sister sitting with her son across the room. She got out of her seat and walked over to her.

Joel wondered where his mother was going, so he followed her. He saw Will sitting with his mother. They were in the middle of eating dinner.

“Hey, sis,” Joel’s mother, Denise said.

“Hey, Denise. What are you doing here?”

“Hey, Will. What are you doing here?”

“I’m taking my mom out for Mother’s Day.”

“What did you get her?”

“I just got a card and gift card to Stacy’s. What did you get your mom?”

“I got her roses and a card.”

“Cool. Now if you don’t mind–

“William, don’t be rude — We’ll see you guys later.”

“Bye guys, have a good Mother’s Day,” Joel’s mother said.

“You too!” Janice replied.

Joel followed his mother back to the table.

“The waitress came over and asked if we were ready to order. I told her to come back. She’s been looking over at the table for the last fifteen minutes.”

“Let me look at the menu,” Denise said.

They put their menus down and the waitress returned. His dad ordered the steak and Joel and his mom ordered salads.

“A salad? What are you going soft on us, Joel?” his dad asked in confusion.

“Dad, I’m a vegetarian now.”

“Really? Since when?”

“Since a month ago.”

“Was it because of Arya? I told you that kid is a bad influence.” He turned his head toward Joel’s mother.

“Stop it, Sam. Leave Joel alone,” Joel’s mother said to her husband.

“Here mom,” Joel said as he handed her the card in a pink envelope.

“Joel!” She read what the inside of the card said out loud. “‘A mother is someone who cares for her children, takes care of them, and raises them. I might have been difficult, but you put up with me. Thanks for that. You raised a wonderful son. Happy Mother’s Day! Love, Joel.”

Joel got up to hug his mom.

“Aw, Joel, that was so sweet! I love you.”

“I love you, mom.”

The food came and they ate. They paid the bill and went home.