Mason was already thinking ahead to see if he could take a few days after Christmas, before the students returned for the term. Typically he stayed at the school during the holiday, as he was young and single with no children at home to go see. He only thought it fair that he stay so that his co-workers could go home to their families instead of him, but perhaps this year he would take the time off.

Momentarily distracted by her quip about her least favorite co-worker, Mason had to actively suppress a snort of derision. He was saved by the arrival of their snacks as it gave him time to try and compose himself. His mother was a formidable woman, even in her current state; he definitely had learned from a  young age not to test her. Mason could only assume her co-workers did the same. The man in question seemed to irk her the most however.

"Your life wouldn't be nearly as exciting if he did." Mason was not about to let the topic if her health slide so easily, but he also was not about to lecture her on it either. What was a boy to do when his mother insisted she was fine?