I Cannot Accept This

Archer returned to reality as Teuila shook him, ''Are you okay, Arch?'' she said in a concerned tone. ''You just stopped walking and went quiet.''

''Sorry, I was just thinking about my mother back on Earth,'' Archer explained while shaking the cobwebs from his mind. ''I have been blocking that part of my life out as it hurts too much to think about them.''

Teuila squeezed his arm while giving him a sweet smile filled with love. ''I'm sorry for bringing it up, but maybe if you open up to me, it will help. My mother told me it always ends badly if someone bottles up their emotions.''

Archer nodded, ''Maybe,'' he said while looking around and spotting a bench. ''Let's sit down, and you can ask me anything.''

''Okay,'' Teuila answered as the two of them sat down, allowing her to question. ''Can you tell me about your mother?''