Incentive

A knock at the door made James jump awake. He shot up in his bed and quickly threw his clothes on.

“Be there in a moment!” he called out as he pulled up his pants and buttoned one of his dress shirts up before walking over to the door. He opened it to reveal a tired and disheveled looking woman. Her eyes and cheeks were red from obvious crying and she even looked on the verge of tears as she stood outside of his door. “Hello? Can I help you?”

“A-Are you James Granton?” she asked in a weak and wavering voice.

“That would be me, is there something you need?” He couldn’t help the hesitation in his voice. People this emotional always made him nervous.

“My name is Angeline Taylors.” Her name rang in his ears; he remembered it from the boy who had talked to him the first day he was here.

“Ah yes, Edward’s mother, correct? How is your son?” he asked with a bit of fondness. But his demeanor quickly changed, seeing her determined expression turn to one of complete sorrow.