Hear Me Out

"You've got to be kidding me Fred, what do you mean by that?" Shantel asked.

"I want to take care of mama, aunt, mama isn't well, I don't want to go to school," Fred replied.

"I'll smack your butt right now if you say that again." Shantel said, but you could literally note the tease in her voice.

"Fred," Valeria called, as she sat up.

"Yes mama."

"You'll have to go to school honey. I don't want you staying at home, you've missed school for so many days. Please honey, just go to school, mama will be fine, okay? If you want to make me happy, then you'll have to go to school," Valeria stated.

Fred sighed, he didn't want her to be sad, so he'd have to listen to her.

"Promise you'll be fine mama?"

"Yes, I promise," Valeria replied with a smile.

"Pinky promise." Fred said, showing her his pinky finger.

Valeria coiled her pinky finger with his.

"Pinky promise." She said and Fred removed his pinky finger from her and he hugged her tightly.

"I love you mama.", he said.

"I love you too, son,