This One's For You, Mom

Miranda watched her son eat his breakfast, and had to stop herself from giggling. Robert was nearly seventeen but he still finished his bowl of cereal the same way he's done since he was five--by lifting the bowl up to his mouth to drink the last few spoonfuls of milk.

         "Are you ready?" inquired her husband from the foyer. At this, Robert wiped his mouth on his sleeve, as Miranda cringed. It was yet another childhood habit she wished he'd soon outgrow. He got up, set the bowl in the sink, and looked toward the kitchen table, a touch of melancholy on his handsome face. Today was an important day for Robert, and Miranda wished there was more she could do to brighten his mood. She simply gave her son a huge, loving smile.

         Her husband came into the kitchen, and saw Robert leaning against the sink. "What's up, Robbie? You're going to be late."

         "I know, Dad. I'm ready," said Robert tentatively. "It's just...it's just that I really hoped Mom could've been with us today at the ceremony." Miranda felt her tears well up, and was heartbroken when she saw her husband's own sad face.

         "I know, son. I truly wished that, too," said Miranda's husband. "She would've been so proud of you."

         Robert smiled at his father, grabbed his coat from the back of his chair, and followed him out to the foyer. He looked toward the kitchen table one last time, imagined his mother sitting there, and smiled. "This one's for you, Mom."

         Miranda let her tears fall and waved to her son with a hand he cannot see. I'm so very proud of you, my dear son.


Written for 11/21/07 Daily Flash Fiction
Prompt: Write a story about someone who never leaves their house
Word Count: 284 words