(Mrs. Jones is busy cooking in the kitchen while her eldest son, Jake, is having breakfast. She looks pale and tired. The kitchen is messy. She soon finishes her cooking and starts washing the dishes.) JAKE: Mom, this toast is burnt. Make me another one.

MRS. JONES: Just finish it Jake. I don’t have the time now. I have a ton of chores to finish before heading off to work.

JAKE: But, mom! I can't have burnt toast. Make me another one, or I'm going to school on an empty stomach.

(Mrs. Jones sighs and makes him another piece of toast. Jake quickly eats it and walks away without thanking her. Mrs. Jones continues with her work. She hears her daughter yelling.)

MRS. JONES: What is it, Clara?

CLARA: Mom, come have a look at what Mattie has done.

(Mrs. Jones wipes her soapy hands and walks into the living room. She is stunned when she sees the white walls with drawings all over them. She finds her youngest son, Mattie, behind the couch, busy making a drawing on the wall. Without bothering to notice what he is drawing, she drags him out from behind the couch.)

MRS. JONES: Mattie, look at what you've done. How could you make such a mess? You've ruined the walls.

MATTIE: But, mom, I was just . . .

MRS. JONES: Be quiet, Mattie. Day after day I have to look after the three of you, and I never get any appreciation. And now you've gone and scribbled all over the walls. Do you know how long it'll take me to clean up this mess?

MATTIE: I'm sorry, mom, I didn’t mean to.

MRS. JONES: Sorry doesn't change the fact that you've made a big mess.
(Mattie looks like he is about to cry.)

MRS. JONES: Don't cry, Mattie. Crying is not the solution to our problems.

MATTIE: I'm sorry. I'll clean it up right away, mom.

MRS. JONES: Yes, you better. Now go and get some soap and a scrubber and get to cleaning.

(Mattie looks discouraged as he leaves the room. Mrs. Jones is still furious as she watches him go. She then turns to the wall and her expression changes into one of shock.)

MRS. JONES: (to herself) What? It’s a drawing of Mattie and me, and the words "I love you, mom" are written below it.

(Mattie returns to the room with the soap and scrubber. She looks at him with tear-filled eyes and hugs him tightly to her as he reaches her.)

MRS. JONES: I'm sorry too, Mattie.