"Mom! I didn't expect you." He hugged her and bent his head down so she could kiss him on the cheek.
She kissed him and smiled up at him. "I called Del to find out where I could reach you to say happy birthday. It sounded like the only way to do it was to show up in person, so I booked a flight to Arkansas." She stepped back and surveyed him. "Son, I think you're getting taller."
Barrett laughed and patted his stomach. "I think I'm getting bigger."
"Nonsense! If anything, you're getting thinner. Are you eating enough?"
He put an arm around her shoulders. "Spoken like a mother. Yes, I'm eating enough. Everywhere I go; people are offering me food."
She chuckled. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. They want to feed you because you look thin."
Barrett shook Del's hand and turned to Mary Jo and Billy Ray. He introduced them to his mother and ended with "and this is my mother."
Mary Jo dismounted and offered a hand to his mother. Of course, Billy Ray followed her lead. Then he followed Barrett's example and hugged her.
She kissed Billy Ray on the cheek. "It's nice to meet you both."
Mary Jo smiled at Barrett. "It looks like you'll be busy with your mother anyway. I'll check back in a couple days."
She mounted again and, when Billy Ray mounted, they headed back home. Barrett put an arm around his mother as he watched the two disappear down the drive. At the last minute, Mary Jo looked back and waved. Barrett smiled and waved back. When his attention returned to his mother, he found her watching him.
She smiled. "They seem like nice young people."
He nodded. "They are; the entire family is."
"Are you romantically interested in Mary Jo?"
It wasn't like his mother to be so inquisitive about private matters, and to be honest, it wasn't something he wanted to broadcast - mostly because he wasn't sure it was reciprocated. Still, there was no point in denying it so he said yes.
She patted his hand. "Well, I hope it works out for both of you. You deserve better than you got from me."
Barrett frowned. "Mom, you've been a good mother to me."
She looked uncomfortable. "Well, it was difficult to be both mother and father. I wish you would have let me help you financially. It's all going to be yours some day anyway."