No Place That Far
by: Rhiannon and AJ
The next evening when Jed and Abbey returned from Rome, they went straight
back to the White House, and to the trio of terror. For five minutes, Abbey
sat in the living room of the residence staring at the wall.
"Maybe you kids should go back to your rooms," Jed said quietly.
"Yes, sir."
"And while you're there, I want each of you to write a letter of apology to
both the zoo and to Leo."
"Yes, sir."
"And, you three will pay for the loss of the two birds, and the medical
attention for the one bird."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, now go to your rooms."
"Yes, sir," they said as they all walked off to their rooms.
Once they were gone, Abbey had yet to move her gaze from that spot on the
wall. It was as if she was completely frozen. She didn't even jump when Jed
placed his hands on her shoulders. "Abbey?" he waited for a response.
Nothing.
"Abigail?"
Still, nothing.
"Abbey, come on. They let Leo out of jail, and surprisingly enough, he isn't
that mad."
"Jed?"
"Yeah? What is it, baby?"
"Why am I such a failure as a mother?"
"What? You're a wonderful mother, Abbey."
"But..."
"No, no buts. You're a wonderful mother. And for the most part, they are
wonderful kids. They just like getting into trouble. That doesn't mean
you're a failure as a mother."
"Terrible ... I'm a terrible mother," Abbey said, not having heard a word that
Jed just said.
"Abigail, listen to me." Jed gently shook her. Abbey turned her gaze to Jed.
"You're a wonderful mother, Abbey. You are so great with those children."
Jed's words did nothing for her, as she began to mumble over and over again,
"Failure..."
TBC...