Welcome Home

(Not sure if this is good but here we go!)

Here comes my boy again, tired and hungry from his quest, which is still far from over, I presume. He walks up to me and gives me a tight hug. "You're back!" I say, for what seems like the hundredth time, but I'm not upset. "You look tired. Mothers understand these things. Now, I'll make you some steak, and then you should scoot up to bed!" My boy, Ness, nods and lets go of me as I begin cooking his favorite food. It's been a few days since he set out on an adventure to save the world, from an alien I think? It all seems strange, but I and his father are supporting Ness the best we can. After the food is done, I call my son over and serve him the steak. He says thanks and goes to eat as I wash the utensils I used. I return to my thoughts, interrupted only by Ness coming into the kitchen to wash his plate a bit later. I smile as he runs upstairs, tossing a quick "Good night" my way.

---

Ness has returned again, with a friend. She seems nice, and Ness explains she's saving the world with him. Her name is Paula. I tell them I'd make them food and let them rest, and the two of them gratefully accepted. I happily got to work, excited that my son had made a new friend, and a girl at that! Normally, before he had went on his quest, he'd play with the other boys in town or go to the arcade, except if he had school. Calling them over and giving them their food, I heard conversation in the air as they ate moments later. Talking about their quest, their day, and.. Their powers? Confused, I head out of the kitchen where I was cleaning my utensils and asked Ness what they were talking about. Turns out, my son and his friend both have weird psychic powers. But, of course, I still love my son all the same. He went into the kitchen and washed Paula's plate and his plate a few minutes later, then went to his room. Paula volunteered to sleep on the couch. I smile again as they both say "good night".

---

The next few weeks were silent. My daughter Tracy was constantly at her job at Escargot Express, (Though I have no clue how she got the job at her age) Ness was on his journey, and my husband was at work. I did get 2 calls a day from Ness, until he finally came back.. With 2 more people, both boys. Jeff and Poo. Everyone but Poo accepted the food I made, and Ness quickly explained he can't handle food from here in Eagleland. He just had water and some rice gruel Ness somehow had in his backpack. He seemed to enjoy it. The four of them chatted about their journey for an unusually long time as I once again washed their utensils. I was a tad worried about sleeping arrangements before I saw Ness come in and clean the dishes, shouting back to his crew that he'd sleep on the floor of his room with them. That's Ness, my kind, generous boy. I smile again as the 4 of them go upstairs, earning a surprised yelp from Tracy, who was exiting her room, not expecting to see all the people. I chuckle as they all say "Good night" just as they reach Ness's room.

---

It was late at night a week later when I woke up. Tracy ran downstairs to meet me. "Mom? I'm really worried for Ness.." I decide to reassure her before hearing something in my head, a voice.. It sounded like Paula. "Please.. If anyone can hear me, please lend us your strength! Please help us!" I felt uneasy, and instructed Tracy to pray with me. And we did. I don't know what happened next or where Ness and his friends were, but I hoped they were okay.

---

The next day, Ness arrived home. Alone but happy. Asking where his friends went, he replied with a quick "Poo went home, Jeff went with his dad, and I brought Paula home". He then hugged me. "I missed you, mom." I hug back. "I'm happy you're home." Tracy walked downstairs just then and joined the hug. Just then, our doorbell rang. I went to answer it, and it was a man wearing a black coat, pants and top hat. He held with him a camera. Ness seemed annoyed. "Oh no.." I ask the man what he needed, and he simply handed me a photo album. "Hold up," Ness said, grabbing said album and paging through. He gasped happily. "Mom, I think I should tell you about my journey." As I listen to Ness tell me an elaborate, odd, yet true tale of his quest, I can't help but smile. I'm happy he's back. And I'm happy he went on an adventure. It's been an odd summer for sure.