Chapter one

It can probably get difficult when an older parent tries to blend in with their children, right? For Elana, it's the easiest thing. She and her son, Liam gets along so well. Is it because she has to play the father role too? Yes, she brought her boy up completely on her own with no man or parent around at all.

"We can rise with the morning up against an ocean, send out a warning that we are free," the two of them sang together on their way to school. Liam looks at his mother and gives her a big smile. She has beautiful soft blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a perfect model face. Besides all the bonus looks, she's his biggest inspiration. Her special characteristics are one of the kind you can't find every day. She's selfless, devoted, and always tries her best to keep by her promises and doing her best.

"Mom, can I invite a friend over?" He asks when they stopped at the school turning down the music. "We want to study together for tomorrow's math test."

"Sure," she replies and smiles at him. Her left eyebrow raises and the corners of her mouth push up her cheeks. "Is it a girl?"

"No. It's a friend, mom. HIS name is Joe."

Liam knows that his mother is only teasing him. He knows that very well, but there's a little truth behind her teasing. He's growing up and she's expecting him to introduce a girl to her any time soon.

"Okay sweetheart. Kiss goodbye."

Liam kisses his mother before he grabs his bag and climbs out. Soon he would be too embarrassed to kiss his mother, but to Liam, it's not a big issue. His friends will tease him of course, but that doesn't bother him. He won't let his attitude change towards the woman that gave her whole life to him.

Jordan stops with his vehicle at school looking at Joe that looks out the window. Jordan has dark brown hair and green eyes, a short beard, and a big muscled body. The ladies are completely nuts about him, but dating hasn't been an option for him in such a long time. Will it ever be?

"I'm going to Liam this afternoon to study," Joe said to his dad. Jordan nods his head and gives him a little smile. He's a concerning father, but a man of his own. Joe and Jordan never had a perfect relationship, but he's the only parent Joe has, and just having this much of him is enough already.

"Son, have you ever thought about what you want to do next year?" He asks. Joe shakes his head from side to side and takes his bag. "Maybe you should consider going to college."

"I was thinking about that," Joe replies giving a little smile. Making his dad proud is his priority, but he knows where to draw the line. He wants to make his father proud by simply being himself and choosing what he loves to do. No parent should be allowed to lay their children's futures out for them. "Aren't you afraid of ending up alone?"

"I won't be alone," he says and sits back comfortably. He rests his head back and just looks at his son. "Let's go camping this weekend. You can invite your friend to come with us."

"Sure," Joe nod and open his door. He throws his legs out and sits still for a moment. He turns his head to his father that sat there waiting for him to get out. "Hey dad, have a nice day, okay?"

"Thank you, son. You too," he nods. Joe climbs out and closes the door walking away. Jordan takes a while to himself just to sit there. The little boy he used to watch running around is turning into a man.

Joe walk to Liam that stood in the hallway checking out one of the girls. He laughs at his friend and gives him a little push. It's typical how boys can be. They drive girls crazy and checks them out as if they won't even know.

"Dude, my dad said yes for this afternoon," Joe says to him and tap the back of his hand against his chest.

"Cool. My mom also said yes," Liam replies looking at his friend. Since primary school, these two have been the only brother they had. Well, brothers by heart, not blood. "Shall we head to class now?"

"Not until you ask that girl's number," Joe teases him. Liam pushes him, both laughing. When the teacher passed them with an evil grin on her wrinkled face, they stop their childish plays and began to walk on to their classes. Well, boys can grow in age and body, but spiritually, they'll always be kids.

Elana enters her house looking at the two boys that sat at the table studying. She goes to the cabinet and takes out three glasses pouring them each a glass of juice. Just the fun type of mom that she is. Well, Elana isn't here to impress anybody. She simply wants to do good and be part of her son's life.

"Oh miss. O'Reilly," Joe stood up and smile at her. The books have them so occupied, he only realized Elana is in the kitchen when she opened the refrigerator to put the juice away. "It's nice to see you."

"Hello Joe," Elana greets him with a hug and put their glasses in front of them. She kisses her son's head and looks at them. "Have you boys eaten yet?"

"Yes," they reply.

"Okay. I bought you each a steak and kidney pie so just help yourselves out," she smiles at them and grabs her book taking a seat. Joe looks at the book's front cover and smiles at her.

"You read the Haunted hospital series?" Joe asks giving her a big smile since his father is the writer. She glances at him and smiles awkwardly.

"Yes, it's very interesting," she replies and glares at him. "You read it too?"

"No, I just happen to be familiar with it," he replies. He looks down awkwardly then back at her. "Miss. O'Reilly, my dad wants to go camping and he asked me to invite one of my friends. I would like to take Liam with me."

"Okay," Elana nod slowly and give him a worried look. "Can I just meet your parents first? I don't feel easy just letting him go."

The boys understand this all by now. Being a parent isn't easy. If they don't worry, who will?

"I understand," Joe nod with a big smile. "I'll talk to dad and text Liam all the details."

"Okay," she nods and walks away. She's an attractive woman and very lovely. Liam is all she has and she wouldn't be able to handle losing him. Honestly, losing him isn't part of her plans. She'll mother him even until she's not able to walk, talk or eat.

"She wants to meet me first?" Jordan asks busy preparing dinner for him and Joe. It's the usual dinner like every other night. Scrambled eggs, sausages, and bread. Making fancy dinners for two isn't an option.

"She reads your books," Joe smiled at his father. He doesn't seem to care two hoots. "But she doesn't know my dad is the author."

"Why does she want to meet me first?" He asks a little angrily. Jordan hates it when he's being doubted. He knows it's a parent's work to be paranoid, but there's a time you should let your kid go and let them experience life their way. "Is he a mommy's boy?"

"No, actually dad, I understand why she chooses to meet you first. Liam explained it all to me. He is all she has left," Joe told him and start to get the table ready. Well, setting up the table isn't a lot of work. He put the knives and forks down, take out two plates and two glasses to pour them each a glass of milk.

"Isn't she married?" Jordan asks and switches off the stove. He folds his arms and looks at his son.

"No. Liam's dad came like the wind and left again. Seems like she never moved on again," Joe reply. Jordan role his eyes shaking his head.

"Doesn't sound like something new. Most men do it," he groans and goes to the refrigerator to take the bread out. Well, when it's kept cold, it lasts longer. "This world is so full of imperfect people that are making it worst for others. I tell you now son, if you ever think about running off on another girl and leave her pregnant, I'll skin you alive."

"Yes dad," he laughs awkwardly and takes a seat.

It's late. Jordan sits at his desk and plays with the pen in his hands. Being a writer brings so much pressure, especially when you're doing a series and are always expected to bring new ones out very soon. He takes a little break and stands up going to the window to get fresh air. He's run out of ideas. What if the next book isn't good enough? He can't handle the Haunted hospital series to get spoiled and taken off the shelves.