A Mother's Perspective

While there has been more controversy in Scott's school, it still hasn't been the same back at home. Ever since both Scott and his mother moved to Sunshine Valley, Mrs. Smith has walked all parts of the town to relive her memories of her residence here since she was a child. However, as it's been thirty years since she came back many things have changed, the pavements were clean, the sun was shining, the streets were empty.

[The Streets Are Empty]

For the past few months, Mrs. Smith only took walks to the park and went grocery shopping as no adult could be seen on the streets. However, the only grocery store in Sunshine Valley has been running out of stock as fresh produce and deli meats have been thinning out. The only thing that wasn't running out was frozen processed fast foods and the sweets as the proportions were increasing as the other foods were run out.

With no choice, Mrs. Smith has no choice but to drive out of Sunshine Valley to the nearest grocery store. It was worse during this season however as the snow causes a lot of traffic, it takes until the evening for her to get home which was a hassle. 

One day, it was a different day as Mrs. Smith got home early from her weekly grocery shopping.

"Wow. Shopping every week on a long trip will drain my gas mileage." Mrs. Smith got out of her car, opening her trunk to bring the groceries home. 

However, while carrying the bags, she saw what seemed like someone was peeping on her next door.

Being curious, Mrs. Smith put the bags back in the trunk and walked towards the neighbors door. 

However, the door then closed as the person behind tried to lock the door as well as close the curtains on the door window.

Walking up the porch and towards the door, Mrs. Smith knocked on the door. "Hello there. I saw you were watching me. I want to know who you are."

The person behind didn't answer as she was shivering behind the door sitting on the floor.

"What's the matter, I saw you were shaking in there and as your neighbor, I want to know whether you are alright or not."

Wanting to be more convincing, Mrs. Smith had an idea and brought something out of her grocery bag. She then would walk back to the porch with two things on her hand wanting to greet someone.

"Hey. I got some red wine as well as some cheese and crackers. I hope you don't mind if we can share it?"

"Cheese and crackers?!" The person behind the door opened the door.

Opening the door, the person was so skinny and her skin was as pale as white tuna. Her hair was so messy that it looked like she hadn't showered in days. Her attire was wearing really thin clothes as thin as the curtains.

Mrs. Smith saw her for the first time and was frightened as she looked so torn and weak made it worse with the cold weather around them.

"Oh my goodness you look so terrible! How about you come to my house, take a warm shower, and we can enjoy this?" Mrs. Smith showed the wine and crackers at the frail woman.

No hesitation, the woman walked with Mrs. Smith towards her house wanting to stay in a warm place.

As Mrs. Smith brought the woman as well as groceries home, she let the woman take a shower as well as wear a bathrobe around her to keep herself warm after finishing.

In the living room, she ate all the cheese and crackers as if it was the first time she ate them.

"My goodness, you must've been really hungry." Mrs. Smith smiled while taking a sip of her wine.

She then would put her hands on the woman's shoulders which she would later react by moving away from Mrs. Smith being terrified.

"Hah!" The woman was scared.

"Don't worry, don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just glad you've been eating well."

The women didn't trust her though as she was very distanced from Mrs. Smith.

"So what's your name?"

"N-name?" The women spoke softly.

"Yeah your name. My name is Sarah Smith, I moved here with my son last year and your name?"

"Name. Name." The woman repeated herself.

"Betty." The woman told Mrs. Smith.

"My name is Betty."

"Oh Betty. That seems like a wonderful name. Nice to meet you." Mrs. Smith wanted to shake Betty's hand.

With a bit of shaking in her hand, Betty shook her hand with a weak shake.

"I never saw you before even when me and my son came here. Are you new to this town?"

"Y-yes. I came from Brazil and I came here for my son."

"Oh you have a son too. I also have a son. He's finishing his last year of high school. What school does he go to?"

"I'm not so sure."

Mrs. Smith then seems to be very concerned for Betty.

"You're not sure?"

Betty looked outside. "I-I haven't seen my son for such a long time. I don't know where he is. I only know that he is out there."

[Somewhere]

Mrs. Smith empathizes as she can understand as her husband left her.

"How about this? Maybe I can help you find your son. What does he look like and how long has it been since you've seen him?"

"Well. He's Brazilian American, he's five three feet tall and the last time I saw him was-"

Betty paused as she didn't have a clue.

"It was. Um. Uh."

Betty then panicked.

"Oh my goodness! I don't know how long it has been since I've seen my son! Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! OH MY GOD!"

Mrs. Smith then tried to calm her down.

"It's alright. I know we can find him. We can find him together if you want to. And don't worry. I have a lot of spare time since I just work as an online accountant."

"You think so?" Betty took heavy breaths.

"Of course. I know your son meant a lot to you and I want to do all I can to help you find him."

"Thank you so much Sarah." Betty stood up.

"But I think I have to go. Thank you for the wine and crackers Sarah."

"No. Thank you! I can't believe I can finally have a friend to talk to. If you need help finding your son, just knock on my door if you need anything."

"Alright. See you later." Betty walks out of the door and back to her home.

As Mrs. Smith was by herself in the living room, she took a sip of her wine as she looked up at the ceiling. Then she remembers about her husband before he left them.

"Frank, you gotta be kidding me! Why is it that you always ignore your son whenever he wants to play with you!"

"He's a freak! A devil! Ever since he broke that kid's nose, he was always angry at me and you! Why do you have the audacity to protect this bastard of a child!"

"Because Scott is not that kind of kid! He's still young and doesn't understand a lot about himself!"

"If he doesn't know anything about himself Sarah, then why not send him to a foster home."

Mrs. Smith stopped chopping her carrots as those words raised her eyebrows.

"Don't you dare say that!"

"Why not! He's nothing but a damn devil!" Mr. Smith stood up from his chair towards Mrs. Smith.

"Call him a devil one more time and I'll-"

"What are you going to do! Stab me with that knife in your hand?!" Mr. Smith unbuckled his belt to be turned in a whip.

As tensions rose between them, a phone was ringing in the kitchen wall. Putting his belt back on, Mr. Smith answered the phone.

"Hello...I see...okay." Mr. Smith put the phone back.

"It's the school, it seems that Scott put thumbtacks on the teachers chair after receiving an F on his math pop quiz." Mr. Smith got his car keys.

"Look Sarah. Sorry about what happened a minute ago. It's just that Scott has been very different ever since he was a toddler and I don't understand why."

"I don't understand either. Maybe we can try to work together to help Scott understand himself better."

"Sure." Mr. Smith smiled as he left the door to pick up Scott.

As Mrs. Smith finished her wine. She mumbled to herself. "Don't worry honey. I'm doing the best that I can to help Scott out."