The next morning, Rick was refreshed. He had never really felt like that before. He usually stayed up late with his friends and only got a handful of hours of sleep. But if he could feel like this every morning, maybe he could forfeit his usual outings with his friends.
He got out of bed and began to get ready for church (because it was Sunday). That's when he heard his mom knock on the door. He opened the door, nearly startling her.
"Oh, you're up?" she asked, a little confused. She usually had to pry him out of bed.
"Yeah, and I can't wait to get to church."
His mother raised an eyebrow.
"You know, I never realized it until now, but you're right about a lot of things."
"Oh really," she said sourly, thinking that her son was joking with her.
"No really," Rick said. He reached out and grabbed her arm, lovingly. "You take care of me quite a bit and I never show you my appreciation. From now on, I won't be going out with my friends. I'll do my homework and just go to sleep, just like you want."
"You're serious."
"Of course I'm serious. I just want to be the type of son you always wanted me to be."
His mother was obviously a little shocked and definitely confused. "What brought on these sudden decisions?"
"I don't know, actually. Maybe because today's Mother's Day?" His eyes went wide. "Oh, wait right here." He went back into his room and grabbed something, then he came back. "Happy Mother's Day," he said, holding out a small box.
"Oh, you shouldn't have."
"Open it."
She opened the box and saw a small pinkish stone inside. It looked like quartz. "A stone?"
"Actually, it's a gem. It's supposed to help us get along with each other more. But, you know, I don't think we really need that anymore, do we?" he asked, smiling.
This was a completely different Rick. That was for sure. But what changed him to become like this? Rick's mother (Cheryl) shook off that question and just smiled at her son. "Thanks, Rick. It's a nice present."
"I'm glad you like it. Now, I really have to start getting ready for church. I don't want to be late." He closed the door on her and went back to what he was doing moments earlier.
Cheryl just stood there in the hall, holding the pinkish gem. Rick really was different. He never cared this much about church before. Usually he didn't go (despite Cheryl's insistence that he should) and instead just hung out with his friends.
