Fred and his mother were having lunch. It was grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

"How are you, Mom?" Fred asked, nervously.

"I was so embarra.s.sed. People were looking at Emily and Mark so judgmentally. They"re talking behind our backs!"

"Really, Mom?" Fred felt shocked that his mother would have the time or energy to care what others thought, but she had surprised him beyond the pale this time.

"Yes, REALLY." His mother was yelling now. "I can"t stand how they were looking at you, Fred. Like you were sc.u.m. How could I stand them judging my son and grandson!"

"..." Fred thought his mother"s way of caring and loving her family was a bit misguided, but he realized that she said this rather myopic thing out of her heart.

"How am I?! I"m a widow, way too early! Your father just died sleeping next to me, with some stupid smile on his face. Your father!..." Fred mother began sobbing.

Fred didn"t know what to do. But he thought that being a listening ear for his mother"s grief was the best thing he could do.

"Mark is practically a stranger to me! I can"t BELIEVE you kept him a secret from me! You know I always told you to get married to a good girl and raise a kid or two. I really wanted to be a good grandmother. It"s a f.u.c.ked up now!"

"No, mom, please. Mark and I are here for you, really!" Fred felt his heart break, too. He really regretted not telling his parents about his family.

"Emily"s a sweet girl, but why couldn"t you marry someone in the same country at least!" His mother snapped. "I know you and your father never really cared about what other people think about us. But I DO. I have to live with knowing that people look down on MY family. Didn"t you learn anything at your new job in advertis.e.m.e.nt??? Appearances and substance, there"s no difference! The outside reflects the inside! And you f.u.c.ked up, Fred. You really did..."

Even she felt she said too much.

But Fred went over to his mother, and put her into an embrace. "I know, Mom. I"m sorry! I"m sorry!"

"I know you love me, and Mark. And you"re right. People"s opinion matter. But I care the most about what you think. Mark will make you proud, I"m sure of it."

"WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH." Mother wailed.

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Fred and his mom managed to finish lunch.

"Fred, go home. Be with your family."

"I can"t leave you now, Mom."

"No, I"ll be fine. I need to be alone."

"But remember to visit me lots, okay, Fred?"

His mother sniffed, and smiled.

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Mark and Emily were eating lunch. Chicken noodle soup.

"How are you?" Emily asked Mark.

"Fred"s cool, I guess. I feel bad that my...grandfather pa.s.sed away...before I met him."

Emily looked down. "I"m sorry Mark, for not telling. I never wanted to tell you, even. I didn"t know how."

"Oh, Mom, don"t cry now."

"Who"s crying, you!" Emily.

"I just can"t wrap around my head how complicated our family is. That"s all." Mark.

"...We all love you, Mark. I hope you can show your love to your grandmother, too. She"s going through a lot right now. I know you"ve only just met her, but she"s your grandma, you know?"

"G.o.d, this is all too much!" Mark.

Emily laughed. "It"ll be fine." She looked away as she asked, "Do you forgive me?"

Mark walked over to his mom, and hugged her.

"Yeah."