I lay back on the grass and watched the clouds moving in one direction.

How peaceful. The kind of peace I hadn’t felt in such a very long time.

I closed my eyes and tried to think of a happy memory to compliment the feeling. My childhood, that was the happiest and most carefree time of my life. Playing outside with my friends, laughing, singing, coming home at sundown dirty and too tired to wash up. I loved that, I didn’t have any thoughts about my future or past back then, just simple fun. Getting a hiding was better than, ‘No, I won’t go there again’.

I opened my eyes and almost yelped. Craig was hovering over me.

“Your mother is looking for you.”

“Geez Craig!”

“It could get dangerous around here if you don’t look around.”

“Sure.”

I waited until we were walking back home before asking, “How did you know I was––”

“Followed you.”

“Creep. And where were you––”

“In the tree. Giving you some space.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Why do you hate your mother?”

“I don’t hate my mother, who says so?” I asked, shocked.

“I can see that you don’t obey her.”

I didn’t say anything, but he continued. “Mothers are there to help us get up after we have fallen. Not only when we really, really fall, but when we need their help in other ways.”

His face was scrunched up, like he was concentrating hard.

“Who taught you that?”

“Your mom when I asked why you still stayed with her and you are already grown.”

“Wow, you really are something else.”

“Did it hurt when you fell? My mother always kissed my wounds and then it felt much better.” He smiled widely.

“Yes, it did.”

“Then let your mother kiss it, you will feel much, much better.” I shook my head; the kid was only nine.

“How’d you get so smart?”

Craig just grinned.

***

I got home and apologised to my mother; she easily forgave me. I lay down on her chest.

“I will work hard to better myself,” I said with tears. She kissed my head and that made me feel a little better