//------------------------------//
// Chapter Two 
// Story: Keeping Things Together 
// by RoyalBardofCanterlot 
//------------------------------//

It was long past bedtime at Button Mash’s house. Celestia’s sun had set long ago and the younger sister had raised the moon. Caring and Button had had a lovely supper and then Button had been sent off to bed. Caring swayed slightly as she went to get the wine bottle and poured herself a second glass. It was long past her self-appointed bedtime, but she didn’t frankly give a buck. She sat down at the table and sipped the nectar of the Gods. It tasted sweet with just a hint of bitterness.

Wandering Love, you bastard…your son needs you. I wonder what you’re doing right now? She smiled wryly. Or who you’re doing. She drank some more of the wine, a bit more this time. Button’s revelation had brought up some unpleasant thoughts. She had started thinking about it. Ever since Wandering had left Button had changed. He’d always loved video games-she loved them too-but he played them more and more. A few weeks ago he had stayed up all night to play a game. He had become fascinated, even obsessed, with his father’s old things. He had actually gone to sleep wearing the ridiculous gag moustache. He had started wanting to sleep in bed with her, a habit she had tolerated. Maybe, just maybe, even embraced. His presence in her bed made the bed feel less lonely. Made Wandering’s absence less notable. She was there and that was all Button needed. But what about what she needed?

I liked playing games with you. You don’t do that anymore. Not since Daddy left. The words rang in her ears because there was truth to them. Wandering still sent money, but she had had to get a second job.  She hadn’t been able to spend as much time with her family, not as much as she wanted to. Today had in fact been the first time she’d taken time to play with her son in four months. It was the first time in a year she had spanked him. Normally, Button was well-behaved and she didn’t need to go that far. Although, apparently, he’d only been acting out to get her attention. Had she been so neglectful that he’d had to go that far just to get her to spend time with him? 

Apparently, so. I thought you were GOOD at being a mom, Caring. Have you considered that you misinterpreted your cutie mark? Maybe your special talent is dairy farming. Maybe you actually suck at being a mom just like you suck at being a wife.
She glared at a family picture on a shelf. She pointed an accusing hoof at Wandering Love. 
“This is your damn fault, ya know. Stallions are supposed to protect their families. Now, I’m drunk and it’s all your fault. And Button…Button’s not okay.”
She drained the rest of the glass. “Not that we need you. Not that we ever needed you.”

That’s not true. That’s not true and you know it. Get a grip, Caring. You need to be strong. For Button and for Shortcut. Actually, she wasn’t sure where her eldest son was at the moment. She suspected he was at his marefriend’s home. He had gone on a date with her earlier that night. They were going to have to have a talk in the morning.
Just a talk. I’m going to hold off on punishing them. I’ve been doing that too much lately. I don’t want them to start being afraid of me. 
She stood up and almost went to get another glass. No. No, I need to get a grip. This isn’t helping me. This is only making things worse. She placed the glass in the sink, took the wine bottle from the refrigerator and poured it all down the sink. She then tossed the bottle in the trash.

“Mommy? Are you alright?”
Caring stiffened. Hopefully, that was just an alcohol-induced hallucination. She turned around. Her little son was standing behind her, an expression of concern on his adorable face.
“Mommy’s just…a little sad right now.”
“Oh.”
Button scampered over to the refrigerator and pulled out a cookie.
“Button, it’s too late for cookies-”
He held the cookie out to her. “When I’m sad I eat cookies. I just thought…”
Caring’s heart melted. She took the cookie and ate it.
“What are you doing up anyway?” She asked. “Did ya have a nightmare?”
“No, I had to go to the bathroom, but I heard a funny noise in the kitchen and I thought it might be zombies so I went to see what it was and then I saw you.”
Caring nodded. “Well, there are no zombies around. Go back to bed.”
“Why are you sad?” Caring asked.
“Because…Button, do you think I’m a good mommy?”
Button nodded enthusiastically. “The best!”
“But today…you were right I…” She struggled to get her thoughts together, alcohol and sadness making it difficult to think. “I might have been too harsh with you. I don’t want the only time we spend time together to be when I’m punishing you for something. Does that make sense?”
Button shuffled a hoof. “I should’ve just cleaned my room.”
“Yeah, but…” No more wine for you, young filly. “You were just trying to get my attention. You shouldn’t have had to do that.”
“I know.” He paused. “You are a good mommy. You spent the day playing with me even though I was bad and didn’t really deserve it.”
“Button, you always deserve my time.”
“And when I was sick you took time off from work and made me hay soup and you didn’t yell at me that time I wet the bed and whenever I have a nightmare you let me sleep with you. Oh, and when I lost the high score at World of Warcraft to Sugary Chime-whoever she is-you made me extra cookies. And anytime I cry you always hug me.”
Caring embraced him. He rested a head on her shoulder.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” He asked, hugging her. 
“I will be, sweetie. Sometimes, I just get sad. I miss your Dad.”
“I do too.” Button said a little quietly. Then he smiled. “But I have you so I’ll be alright.”
Caring patted his back. “We’ll both be, Button. We’ll both be.”