Ben Twist and his mother Frances continued to stand in the open doorway of her bedroom, staring at the portrait over the bed she shared with her wife Samantha, that was painted by Ben's biological mother Elizabeth Franklin.
"I see she signed it just E.F.," noticed Ben, spotting the small painted signature in the lower right hand corner, thanks to his acute eyesight as a werewolf. "She kept her maiden name?"
"Only professionally," replied Frances. "She was happy being married to Fred, and loved being Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson. Sometimes, I like to picture them well into what would be old age for weres, living life together to the fullest," she confessed.
"After my visit to Moon Lake College yesterday with Kenya, I tried Googling her, but came up empty."
"I know. Samantha and I check every once in a while ourselves, hoping one of her works will mysterious surface after all this time, but we strike out too. Elizabeth kept a photo album of everything she did, but other than our wedding gift and the two pieces at the college, we have no idea what happened to the rest of her art," revealed Frances.
"Can I see it?" Ben asked eagerly.
"Sure, but let's go back to the dining room table so you can view it properly," suggested his mother, while grabbing a brown leather volume from the lone bookcase in the master bedroom.
"This is all her work?" Ben asked, amazed at the photographs. About half the album was full, and even though there were only 2 to 3 pictures on a page, each showed what an amazing talent his late mother possessed.
"That we know of," confirmed Frances. "There are a few sketch books amongst her things in the storeroom," she revealed, referring to the middle bedroom of their house, "but Elizabeth never had a formal studio, preferring to work out of a corner of their apartment so she could be with you. The couple of times Samantha and I visited before... you know, you were just starting to walk good."
"Occasionally I have this fleeting memory of sitting in her lap while she was working, and watching in amazement as something appeared on whatever she was drawing on," revealed Ben.
"Cherish those memories Ben," said Frances, patting his hand lovingly. "Elizabeth worked mostly with pencils. Said it gave her the most freedom of expression and artistic control compared to other mediums. The wedding gift painting totally surprised us, although we have no idea when or where she did it, let alone whether or not she did any others, because there's no evidence of that in there," she added, indicating the photo album.
"No wonder I took to art so well," realized Ben, while closing the album. "When we were discussing career options yesterday, Mrs. Johnson said it wasn't a question of what I wanted to do the rest of my life, but what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My problem was that there's so much I'm interested in and have some talent at, there was no way I could narrow it down until she asked me about my hobbies."
"I honestly didn't know you were still drawing," confessed Frances, looking at the two latest sketch pads of Ben's work still sitting on the table. "Art therapy was so long ago..."
"I know," he said, smiling at her. "I just kept doing it as a way to kick back and relax at the end of the day."
"And you're at least as good at is as your mother was. Samantha and I couldn't be prouder of you than we are right now," said Frances, promising herself she'd show Ben's sketchbooks to her wife when she came home tonight.
"Thank you. You and Samantha are my family, which is why I adopted your name when I legally could, as a sign of respect and love for you both. As much as the young child I was might still miss them, the Wilsons are just a distant and pleasant memory I will always cherish, although someday I want our group to include Kenya."
"Now don't go rushing into anything," advised his mother, "but when the time is right, Samantha and I will be proud to welcome her as our new daughter-in-law."
"Thank you," said Ben, leaning forward in his chair to hug his mother.
When he sat upright again, Ben said, "Now, to get a bit more serious for a moment. I won't be able to start applying for any grants or scholarships until about this time next year. If it's okay with you and mom, I figured I could still live at home while attending Moon Lake College to cut down on expenses. The big question will be how to cover any outstanding balances between tuition, books, etc."
"Well..." began Frances, biting her lower lip as she debated whether or not to tell him.
"What?"
"We'd have no problem with you living at home until after college graduation. As for the rest... when your folks discovered you were on the way, they started a college fund for you. Samantha and I have been maintaining it ever since we started caring for you. There's more than enough in it to cover your continuing education past high school."
"Really?" asked Ben in disbelief. "Thank you!" he exclaimed, before hugging her again.
When he sat back down again, Ben said, "This has turned out to be quite a day. Hasn't yet?"
"Yes. If she was here, I'm sure Samantha would say something about not telling Kenya about the college fund. She's a little more cautious around new people than I am," said Frances.
"Sure. No problem. If the subject ever comes up, I'll just say that you guys have it covered and leave it at that. Okay?"
"Thank you. Now then, don't you have a date with Kenya tonight?" asked his mom.
Ben looked at the wall clock that said it was approaching 3:30 and said, "Gosh. You're right. With everything going on..."
He got up from the dining room table and added, "I wanted to be there before her she gets off work at her uncle's store at 6. We're going to the diner for supper and then..."
"I get the idea. Your mom and I haven't had a chance for a real date ourselves lately, but we're still pretty young weres ourselves, remember?" After all, neither of us has actually hit 100 yet.
"Yes, you are," agreed Ben with a smile, before kissing the top of Frances' head and announcing he was going to take a shower.
Alone at the dining room table, Frances started looking through Ben's sketchbooks again.
You and Fred would be so proud of him Elizabeth. I know Samantha and I are.