Eron wrapped his arms around Friday. Earlier that day she had made a quick trip to Australia to visit her mother, and he was guessing from the way she burst into tears at the first sight of him that it hadn't gone well.
"W-w-why does ssshe ha-ate meeeee?" Friday wept.
Eron stroked her back.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you -"
"She ne-ver wa-ants to se-ee me a-gain!"
"Well, I think from what you've told me before she's just afraid of aliens," Eron said. "That's not really the same thing."
"I-it ma-ay as well be..."
Eron really didn't know what to say to that, so she just hugged her closer.
"We'll pray about it, okay? You're going to get through this, I'm sure. And maybe one day your mother will change her mind."
Friday sniffed.
"I-I did leave her my num-ber."
"There you see? You never know, one day you might just get a call."
Friday wiped her cheek.
"You think so?"
"I think that your mother loves you very much," Eron said firmly. "And I also think that it's going to take her awhile to deal with this long-lived fear of aliens of hers. It's been a couple of years since you last spoke to her, and it may be years before you cross paths again, but I'm sure you'll see her again."
Friday sniffed again.
"I love you Eron."
"I love you too."
"Thank you for letting me soak your shoulder with my tears."
Eron chuckled.