Sylvia Reynolds took one last look around the living room of the house she'd spent the last twenty years, never before had she remained in on place for so long.
It was home, it was where she learned how to love herself and truly learned how to love someone else...and most importantly how to be a mother.
Alexander Ryan Reynolds was nineteen and the center of her universe, it was why she was following him to Chicago and DePaul University. Had her husband Mitchell still been alive, she'd probably let Alex go on his on.
Mitchell was gone and she couldn't bare the thought of being alone, not when being alone could make her demons resurface, they couldn't return.
Not when she had come so far, going back to Chicago was risky. She knew that, but it was a risk she was willing to take..and after all Chicago was a big city.
The chances of her past catching up to her were slim, and Alex was worth it.
He'd been sitting in the driver's seat for almost twenty minutes, she had gone back in the house for one last look, at least that was how she had described it. He grew impatient and got out, running up the few steps and going inside.
"Mom! Let's go!" He yelled.
Sylvia wiped her eyes, "I'm coming sweetie" she took a deep breath and followed her son out the front door and pulled it shut behind her, ready to start the next chapter of their lives.
Adam relished the opportunity to be alone with Nicky, Kim had gone shopping with her mother. Something about needing new window treatments for the living room, Adam didn't pay much attention, he was just relieved his presence wasn't required.
A few weeks had passed since they put Nicky on the medicine and even he had to admit it helped Nicky tremendously, his grades had climbed steadily and he was rarely in trouble.
He glanced back at Nicky who sat in the back seat, "Hey bubs?" Adam called out.
Nicky dragged his eyes away from the iPad, "yea?"
"The medicine...how is it?" Adam asked.
He shrugged, "it helps...I can pay attention now"
Adam hated that he was so against it at first, but he was pleased that it was working for his son.
"We're we going?"
"Out with Uncle Jay, and Jake" Adam replied, "Dave and Busters...that sound good?"
Nicky did a fist pump, "Yes! That's awesome! Emme's not coming right?" The little girl was infatuated with Nicky.
"It's boys day" Adam smiled as he pulled into the parking lot, Jay and Jake already waiting for them.
The two boys had played for what felt like hours and finally settled in for lunch, sitting at the table opposite Adam and Jay.
Jay knew he needed to bring it up, he was pretty certain Adam didn't remember the conversation at Molly's. Adam had gotten shit faced, and Erin hadn't heard from Kim.
He and Erin had gone back and forth on it, deciding that Jay would tell Adam and let him tell Kim.
Jay took the last sip of his beer and cleared his throat, "So, do you remember that night at Molly's?"
Adam dropped the wing he was eating and wiped his hands on a napkin, "not really" he chuckled, "it wasn't my finest hour..was it?"
Jay shrugged, "You've had better. Listen, everyone knows and it's just a matter of weeks until it's obvious, Erin's pregnant"
