Ronan: To the Moon and Back

After driving home from a good day at Humming Bird, Raelyn sits quietly in her old classic car, 1980's Volkswagen beetle. A gift to her from her uncle for her 17th birthday, before he moved to America on business. It may be old, the color may be fading from weather, and okay, maybe the rear-view mirror snaps off if adjusted one too many times. It may have broken down that one time her and her best friend took a road trip to Scotland that summer they both finished and passed their A-level exams, but it's hers now. As rustic and aged as it might be. The engine, thankfully had been replaced when her uncle fixed it up. She's had it for three years now and she still loves it; thinks the car has character. She named it Charlie, and Charlie would remain his name, parked in the front drive of her house.

Raelyn rests her forehead against the steering wheel, one hand gripping the peeling leather, the other rubbing soothing circles into her chest. It wasn't bad, the visit went just fine. Ronan was better today than he was last week, and maybe her little present had something to do with that. Or maybe it was just the songs sung to him and the rest of the patients. Maybe it was the way all five boys stayed to chat longer with Ronan, making him laugh and allowing him to pluck some string on the guitar. However, she can't figure out why her chest feels like its clenching, spazzing, like it normally does if something isn't quiet right. She can't figure out why it's bothering her at this moment when the day spent at the hospital was just fine. With a deep sigh, she heaves herself out of her car, carefully closing the door as to not hurt Charlie's feelings, and ignores the annoying ache in her chest. She had noticed her mother's car when she pulled up, slightly confused because her mother has two jobs and barely has any time for a break long enough to make a home visit for lunch.

"Mum!?" Raelyn calls out after she opens the door, toeing off her shoes in the mini pile by the door. 

"In the kitchen, Rae!" Is her mothers response, loud enough to carry.

"Mother dearest, why are you home? Shouldn't you be at work, what did I tell you about skipping?" Rae tisks playfully.

"Oh hush. Like you never skipped a class in your day." Her mother, MaryAnn, chides teasingly. "I do remember getting a lovely call from one of your teachers."

Rae flinches sheepishly. "That was five years ago and of course the one time I skip out is the day Mr. Winburn notices. That photo gallery show was in town and I wanted to go. All very important for my future career."  She steals a grape from her mum's fruit bowl, popping it in her mouth. "Now, what's your excuse?"

MaryAnn tuts fondly, carefully cutting up some watermelon. "If you must know, my boss took most of his workers out for lunch, which have the rest us some extra time to come home and see our lovely daughters." She pecks Rae's cheek.

"Why didn't you go?" Rae asks, chewing on another grape.

"Can't have your receptionist missing important calls, can we?"

"Makes sense, since she's currently at home missing those calls anyway."

MaryAnn chuckles. "How's Ronan?"

And just like that, the light teasing mood shifts to gray. The tightening around her mother's eyes doesn't go unnoticed by Raelyn, nor does the slight frown by the corners of her mouth. It's hard having to ask her eldest child how her baby boy is, instead of having the time to see him herself. Not with the two jobs that said mother of both children is working.

"Better today, I think." Rae answers, eyeing her mum's expression carefully. "Gave him that dinosaur I bought. Didn't out do your gift though. He never lets go of that blanket and he watches Peter Pan almost every night, according to Jackie."

Her mother nods, a knowing smile on his lips. "It's music day, innit? How was the band?"

"Good...how'd you know it was a band? Not a violinist, or I dunno, Ed Sheeran? What if they shoved a microphone in my hand and told me to sing impromptu karaoke?"

"Would you have sang, though?" MaryAnn gives her daughter a once over, accepting the disagreeing shake of Rae's head. "Plus, if Ed Sheeran were there you wouldn't be home right now and I'd probably have a son-in-law by now."

"Mother!" Rae says sarcastically scandalized.

MaryAnn laughs, a bright joyful sound. "Were they cute, then? Nice and polite like they say?"

"Mum!"

"Alright, alright." Her mother laughs once more before  sliding the local newspaper over to her. 

On the front page is a small picture of One Direction with a description that continues on page 5A. The article talks about how the successful band had finished touring in the US, and is making the rounds to local children's hospitals as a way to give back. There's a little tidbit of a well deserved break and wondering if fans would mob random places in London. It's sweet; the part about giving back and taking time to visit sick children. Children that can't, and will never get a chance to see musicians live. Rae smiles at that, wishing that sometimes she could be famous and give back in greater amounts than having to shed light on certain subjects through a camera and posting them on the internet. No one really pays attention to such a variety of amateur photographs.

"Did you see them there?" Her mother's voice brings Rae's focus back.

"Oh, um, yeah. They were there. Met them briefly. They sang about three songs to Ronan, stuck around a bit longer to talk with us. So yes, they were really nice."

"That blonde one's very cute. And that one with the soulful eyes? Very handsome. Well, they all-"

"I'll pass your number along next time if it'll make you feel better?" 

"Oh hush you, and pass be that top."

Rae obliges, passing the top of the container, watching her mum finish making the rest of her lunch. Another four stolen grapes and a travel mug of hot tea later, both women are walking out towards their cars.

"I'll be home late," MaryAnn informs reluctantly. "Going straight to surveillance afterwards."

"So, no dinner?" Rae frowns.

She hates that her mum has to work two jobs, one late at night until the early hours of the morning. It pays well, and that's what is important, according to her mother, because hospital bills add up and with only one parent to make income it's hard enough. Which is how Raelyn ended up working double shifts at the diner downtown. It isn't much, but she's able to pick up some overdue bills and pays her own way for gas, and film for her camera.

"I'm sorry, love bug." Her mum says, looks it, a pained expression crossing her face. "I'll make it up to both of you, this weekend. Give my love to Ro."

"Always." Rae promises with a smile.

With that they give each other a kiss on the cheeks, waving goodbye. Rae watches her mum drive off, turns the corner and disappears. She stands alone on the driveway for several moments, listening to a few scattered birds chirping, hidden in the treetops. She pats Charlie's bonnet a few times, before turning back to go inside her empty house.

***

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