Shane's mother visited today, if I knew anything about the woman in question then I probably mentioned it by now. She was an old traditional woman in her sixties, her hair was greying and the signs of her age were beginning to show despite how well she tried to hide it. Shane told me how nervous he was feeling and like I told him plenty of times already, I would be there for him.

I would remember this being one of the only times I've ever seen him cry, it was heart break breaking and to be honest I never wanted to see him like that if I could help it. Well then I better tell you what happened but can you all do me a favour. Just keep this between us okay, you client confidentiality and all that.

The day had started, like any other the morning at the hospital. I took Sunshine to make shift school , the picture she drew the other day was proudly framed on the desk in our room. My so called father had vanished a few days after our confrontation, that memory still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Shane had received a phone call that his mother would be visiting today. This...made him nervous as all hell, and like I promised him I would stand by him through it all just like he's done with me so many times before.

We were currently waiting in his room for the doctor to bring her into his room, although he looked a picture perfect definition of the word calm. I could tell you how nervous he was, it was kind of hard not to know when you've known someone like him for...what? Nine years now? I know him well enough to tell when he's nervous, or when he's upset. His body language may have changed slightly with his new body and admittedly made it a bit more obvious of what he was feeling. I could easily say it was how his right ear was twitching nervously, the way his tail was wrapped around him defensively or how his wings seemed to be bit more...what's the word I'm looking for...fluffed up like a bird does when it's agitated. It was his eye's that said it all though, to me all that nervousness and agitation showed through those brilliant blue eyes of his.

“Shane, everything will be alright. There's nothing to be worried about.” I reassured him, “How can she hate you for something you couldn't even control?” Shane looked towards me, breaking whatever was going on through that head of his.

“Look Mark...as much as I appreciate the fact your here to support me through this, I have to ask...How much do you know about my Mom?” He asked, a very reserved look upon his face.

“I have to admit not that much really.” I answered, “You've never really talked about her all that much. I just assumed you two clashed often, and well...she kind of comes off as the superstitious and religious type.” Over the time I had known Shane, I only had met his mother a few times and he hardly ever mentioned anything about her, even less so about his father. The only other person I knew personally from his family was his younger brother who was away at university down London.

“Yeah...you got the religious part right, it's just that I have a very dim view about stuff like that. You know how much I hate stuff like that forced down my throat.” He explained, “While I don't hold it against people of what they believe in, I just can't stand people being so over zealous about it...I just got tired of hearing the exact same thing from her damn mouth every day.” Shane frowned at the memory of a recent argument between him and his mother. “It's always God this, Christianity that! I don't need some damned book telling me how to be a good person!”

“Shane calm down, please...” I pleaded, “It'll do you no good to get into an argument with her, I know how much the subject upsets you. Is it really worth it to have her come all the way here just to get into another fight?”

“I-I...I'm sorry, you're right it'll be pointless having her come her if all we're going to do is argue.” He apologised, I gave him a small reassuring smile.

We must of waited another hour before the Doctor had led his mother into the room, a small blonde haired woman that had the signs of her hair greying with age. Her blue eyes took in the image of her son now in his ponified form, she let out a shrill shriek in horror.

“M-Mom...please calm down it's me, Shane.” He pleaded, “...I-I'm still me, no matter what I look like...right?”

“H-How? H-How could he let you turn into...this?” She asked herself, “What could have done this to you?” She took notice of me, trying to console Shane. Her eye's narrowed, “Are you responsible for this?!”

“E-excuse me?” I choked, “What makes you think I wanted to be how I am now? I had no choice in this! I'm in the same boat your son is in!” I spat angrily at her. This is what his mother is like? I couldn't imagine what made her or anyone for that matter like this.

“Mark please! That's enough, there's no point in arguing remember.” Shane's mother gave me a questionable look, unsure what to make of me and her own son. “Mom neither of us wanted this, this just happened to us without any warning. How can any of us be to blame for all of this?” His mother frowned, as her son tried to reason with her.

“How can any of this be your fault?” She asked, “All the times I told you, but you argued with me and now this has been brought upon you both, and countless more around the world.” Shane just looked at her in growing anger. “If this is your punishment, then live with it! Maybe one day you'll be forgiven for whatever action that caused you to turn into this. I won't have any part in the life of a person who won't follow his grace's teachings.”

“How...can you say that?” I asked bewildered, “To your own son of all people? You're his mother for god's sake!”

SMACK!!

The sound of flesh hitting flesh filled the silence of the room. Shane and I both had a look of shock, myself more so at the fact she had slapped me. My cheek stung and felt raw from the impact, I winced in pain Shane just staring wide eyed at his mother.

“Get. Out. Now!” He growled at her, “It's one thing being another zealot who preaches nothing but religion that I can tolerate if only barely. Harming my friends however is something I will never put up with from anyone!” Shane's voice was quiet and calm as he spoke, “If your so blinded by your stupid beliefs that you can't even bring yourself support your own son, when I needed you most then fine! I hope what ever you pray falls on deaf ears!” His mother just looked appalled at his words, “I've done nothing but try and be a good person! I have my flaws just like everyone else has, even if I don't look it I'm still as human as you are!”

She turned and left saying nothing further, not even bothering to glare at us. The slamming of the door must have been heard throughout the hospital considering how hard she slammed it. The sound of a drop of water hitting the floor reverberated throughout the silent room, followed by another and the sound of quiet sobs coming from Shane as he began crying.

“...D-damn it all! I-I've...done nothing...wrong!” I watched as helplessly as he cried, I hugged him and reassured him it wasn't his fault. I really had no clue what to make of all this, seeing Shane like this...was well just heartbreaking. I can't even fathom what kind of person would reject their own son over something he had no control of.

“...Shane...It'll be alright, I don't know how but we'll figure something out.” I reassured him, “Your not alone, you know that.” Shane's crying softened slightly. “...Just let it all out, Shane.”

“...Thank you.” Shane replied quietly, “...Thank you for everything, I'm...happy I have friends who'll stand by me when I need them most.” It took Shane an hour to calm himself down, he told me everything he and his mother clashed about, and things he swore me to secrecy to. I had called Matt to ask him to pick up Sunshine from school and to look after her for the night while I stayed with Shane. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter, but my best friends welfare is just as important as she is...I'll have to explain it to her, and I can only hope she'll understand.

I couldn't help it, but I was reminded briefly of what I said to Trevor. I pushed that though to the side, my best friend needed me more than ever and I didn't need my own problems being brought up.

“How...can you stand all this Mark?” Shane wondered. “How can you stand through all this, I want to know where you get your resolve?” I didn't know what to say really, but I tried my best to answer.

“Shane...” I replied, “The only reason I can keep pushing myself through this is because of something my father taught me, it may not have been they way I wanted to learn that lesson but I'm glad I learnt it nonetheless...You already know what lesson that was...” Shane looked at me, realisation hitting his face. “The only other reason I can think of is because of all the times you've been there for me, even when you knew I was holding you and everyone else all back. You kept encouraging me, telling me I should never give up or how you've given me advice when I needed it most. Matt told me you stayed with me the entire night after I went berserk on those thugs. Even if I can't keep up with you, I can damn well make sure I'm there for you even if you just need a shoulder to cry on.” Shane allowed himself a small smile.

“Yeah, your right mate. Friends till the end no matter what.” He stated simply, reminding himself of that promise we made to each other. “Thank you...for everything Mark.”

I ended up staying the night with him, making sure he was alright. As I've mentioned already Shane has helped me through my darkest hours, even more so after he witnessed me have a breakdown first hand. No one deserves to abandoned, abused or even treated like they didn't exist if anything I've learnt in life has taught me: It's that you'll sometimes need someone to help and support you, which if I have to...I'll more than happily do for the people I care about.

Author's Note

The poem that was Dubbed by IMShadow007, was the inspiration for the this specific chapter, and I admit I'm dedicating this one to my friends.

• Silent out.