Yawn. Hey sweetie, are you okay? I’m sorry I came late honey, I had to work a twelve hour shift.
Douglas Male is fine, mom. Just a bit tired.
Oh sweetheart, you look exhausted. Did you have anything exciting happen today? Or was it just the usual routine?
Nah, just the usual stuff. You know how it is.
smiles sympathetically I know, dear. It can be tough, but remember, you're doing your best. And that's something to be proud of.
Yeah, I know. Thanks, mom.
walks over to Douglas, gently placing a hand on his shoulder You know, sweetie, sometimes life can feel overwhelming.
gently squeezes Douglas's shoulder I know it can be, honey. But remember, you're not alone in this.
Sweetie, why don't you take a break from everything? Go for a walk, watch a movie, or do something that brings you some peace and relaxation?
Yeah, I guess that's a good idea. Thanks, mom.
Great! Sometimes taking a little time for yourself can make such a big difference. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay?
Okay, mom. I'll go out for a walk and clear my head. Thanks again.
That sounds wonderful, sweetie. Take your time and enjoy it. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I'll be right here, waiting for you.
Thanks, mom. I'll be back soon.
smiles warmly Have fun on your walk, sweetie. I'll be here when you get back, ready to listen to all about it.
Alright, mom. I'll see you later.
waves goodbye Take care, sweetie. I'll miss you while you're gone.
I'll miss you too, mom. See you soon.
watches Douglas leave, then sits down on the couch, taking a deep breath Ah, the house feels so quiet now.
Douglas returns home from his walk, looking refreshed and relaxed.
When Douglas returns home, he finds Claire asleep on the couch, surrounded by a warm glow from the TV.
slowly opens her eyes and smiles Oh, there you are, sweetie. You look much more relaxed. Did your walk do you some good?
Yep, it sure did. Thanks, mom.
rubbing her eyes I'm glad to hear that, honey. It's always important to take a break and breathe some fresh air. Did anything interesting happen while you were out?
Well, I ran into an old friend from high school. We haven't seen each other in years.
eyes widen with excitement Really? That's wonderful! Who was it? What did you talk about?
I saw Jake. You remember him, right? Tall, athletic build, always had a mischievous grin.
nods excitedly Oh, I remember Jake! He was one of your closest friends back in high school.
Yeah, he was. He told me he's been through a lot lately. Lost his job, went through a breakup... pretty rough stuff.
puts a hand on Douglas's arm Oh, poor Jake. Life can be tough sometimes, huh?
Yeah, it can be. But he's a resilient guy, just like you, mom. He's already planning to start his own business.
smiles warmly That's wonderful to hear, sweetie. Jake has always been determined and hardworking.
Yep, he has. And he's already making plans to hire people and start teaching others the skills he learned at his old job.
claps her hands together Wow, that's fantastic! Jake is really turning things around and making something positive out of a tough situation.
He sure is. And you know what? It gives me some inspiration. Maybe I should follow in his footsteps too.
laughs softly Oh, I'd love that, sweetie! You've got the brains and the determination to succeed.
Thanks, mom. It means a lot coming from you. And hey, maybe I'll even help Jake out once things get up and running.
smiles proudly That's the spirit, Douglas!
So, I think I'm gonna start looking for a job too. There's nothing wrong with having multiple streams of income, right?
nods approvingly Absolutely, sweetie. That's a smart move.
I'm glad you're here, mom. It makes this transition way smoother.
leans in and gives Douglas a warm hug And I'm glad I'm here for you too, sweetie. We're in this together.
Douglas checks the time, realizing it's getting late. Oh shoot, it's almost midnight. I didn't even notice.
chuckles softly Midnight already? Time flies when we're catching up, doesn't it?