Chapter Text
“Hey Mama, Happy Mother’s Day!”
“Well now, look who remembers his dates after missin’ my birthday.”
Jasper could feel his mother’s pointed look through the phone and sunk further into the green room couch he had escaped to for the 15 minute break from band practice.
“I know, Mama. I’m sorry. I have the reminder set on my phone for next year already.”
Actually… He pulled up his calendar to double check. He would never hear the end of it if he called a day late again next year.
“Good boy. Have you been takin’ care of yourself? You know I worry with you bein’ so far away, and workin’ all the time, and not even comin’ home to visit your mama on Mother’s Day-”
Jasper let out a sigh heavier than one of Pasqually and Munch’s crazy pizza concoctions. It didn’t matter how many years it had been since he left the Jowls family farm–first to try to find a home for his solo gig and later to play with the Make Believe Band–his mama never stopped fretting after him like he was still a pup.
“Of course, Mama. The band and I have loads of fun playin’ for the kids. And even though we spend most of our time at the restaurant, work time’s play time when you’re making music with your best friends. I’m happy.”
A beat passed. Jasper braced for impact.
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy, sweetheart.”
Phew. “I am. I love what I do.”
“And are you lookin’ after yourself?”
“Yes ma’am. We all look after each other to be honest with ya. Especially Chuck.”
Jasper leaned forward and rested his head in the paw that wasn’t holding his phone and gazed at Chuck E.’s headshot in the row of the band member’s posters. “He really takes good care of us. Keeps the staff fridge stocked, checks in when we’re feelin’ blue. Last time I tried to show up to work sick, he drove me back home and even swung into a diner to get me some soup. He’s a real good boss and a great friend a-” Jasper trailed off, blushing. He quickly leaned back against the couch again.
Another beat of silence.
“I see.” Shit. Watch it, Jasper, you better cool it before she goes and tries to play matchmaker again.
“Now that’s enough about me. It’s your day after all, Mama! You been doin’ alright? Got anythin’ special goin’ for today?”
“Oh yes, Jasper dear, everythin’s just fine on the farm–got the watermelons planted yesterday, and my book club just started a real page-turner. And now I’ve got several days of celebration! Your father and some of your brothers are makin’ me a special dinner tonight–but you didn’t hear it from me cause it’s a surprise!”
Jasper could hear her beaming smile come through the phone all the way from Tennessee.
“Well that sounds lovely, Mama.”
“Oh it is. But that’s not all! Jenny and Josie are takin’ me out to the salon tomorrow to get all dolled up, and Jonah’s fixin’ to help me plant my annuals in the flower bed out front on Tuesday!”
Thank god I’m not the only one livin’ out of town, or else I’d be lookin’ real bad right now. He reached for the throw pillow sitting on the couch and dragged it next to his leg where he started scrunching and releasing it with his paw.
“And even June sent me flowers today all the way from New York! I called her up to thank her, and she said she booked ‘em a couple weeks ago! That Internet is really just the darndest thing.”
…Well, shit. June always was an overachiever. He scrunched harder and hung his head.
“Gee, I’m sorry, Mama, I really shoulda done more for ya than just call. We’ve just been so busy workin’ on our next setlist and repaintin’ some stage props and replacin’ one of the ovens in the kitchen-”
“Jasper, baby, I’m just glad to hear from you. But it sure sounds like you could use a break.”
~~~
Chuck E. finished his glass of Coke and glanced at the clock. Only a few minutes left of the break we all agreed on. I should check on Jasper. He walked from the kitchen to the green room and paused in the doorway at the sight of Jasper slumped on the couch holding his phone in front of his face with one paw and nervously fidgeting with a throw pillow with the other.
“Mama, I’m fine.”
“You say that, but it sounds like you’re busy all of the time, and you won’t even let yourself take a weekend to come visit? I know you’re real fond of your little fans and your Charlie-”
Why is Jasper’s mom talking about me? Chuck E. wondered.
“Mama, it’s not like that-”
“And I’m just worried you’re gonna tucker yourself out. Charlie certainly seems like a nice boy, but why does he have you kids still workin’ on Mother’s Day? Don’t y’all all have families to visit? And I reckon all the children you normally see are home with their mamas.” Jasper let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.
“We are closed today, Mama. We’re just havin’ a band practice! After doin’ a lil tidyin’ up. And buildin’ back up our stash of pre-made goodie bags. And I had really thought about coming to visit, but Chuck E. suggested we use today to catch up on work ‘cause, well, I imagine it’s ‘cause the rest of the band is either local or way too far from home to be able to get there and back in a weekend. I didn’t want to be the only one not pullin’ my weight, I guess.”
Jasper looked back across the room at the headshot poster. “And Chuck really doesn’t mean to overwork us! He’s just real passionate about giving the kids the best time we can. We all take pride in our little operation we got here.”
Chuck E. still hovered in the doorway. Man, with my own… situation, I hadn’t even considered Jasper might want to visit his mom for Mother’s Day, and instead of getting to do that, he’s sitting here at work defending my workaholic tendencies to his mom over the phone. Chuck E. hung his head guiltily, ears dropped towards the floor.
Mrs. Jowls broke the silence. “Honey, you do know you can say no to him, right?” No, I can’t. Jasper lifted the pillow into his lap, hugged it tight to his chest, and rested his chin on it. Every time I try I just can’t.
“You said it yourself – he’s not just your boss. He’s your friend. And if he’s anywhere near as good a friend as you say he is, I’m sure he’d understand.” I would! I would totally understand! Chuck E. had to restrain himself from walking right up and giving Jasper a hug.
Jasper sighed. “I know you’re right, Mama, but I just-” Jasper let out another sigh so hard it came out as a soft growl. “The kids really look up to Chuck E., y’know? And that means so much to him that he’s always worried about letting them down. And, well, he-he’s real important to me, and I don’t wanna let him down.”
“Oh, honey.” Jasper hadn’t heard his mama’s voice that sweet in years. He shut his eyes and buried his face in the pillow.
Chuck E. felt the pit in his stomach grow heavier. This is all my fault. Behind him he heard footsteps, and he turned to find Helen walking over to check on him and Jasper. A quick glance at the clock told him that they were due back at the practice he had dragged them all here for by now, but- I have to fix this.
Helen tilted her head at Chuck E., wondering why he was just standing around until she took in the scene– Jasper curled into himself on the couch, the quiet sound of his mom trying to comfort him through the phone speakers, and Chuck E. standing there in the doorway looking like someone had kicked his puppy which… Yeah, Jasper looked worse than kicked honestly.
Helen laid a hand on Chuck E.’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “You boys take care of each other,” She whispered. “And don’t worry about us, okay?”
Chuck E. nodded and offered her a small smile of gratitude. Helen smiled back. Then she gave his shoulder a pat and left. I have to fix this. Chuck E. took a deep breath and walked into the greenroom.
“Heya, Jasper.”
The phone went dead silent. Jasper’s head immediately shot up and turned to look at Chuck E., eyes red and cheeks redder. After a moment, he thought to toss the pillow to the side and sit up straighter, trying (and failing) to look relaxed.
“Oh Chuck E.! Uh, hi! Uh, sorry, is it time to get back to practice?” Jasper looked up at the clock. “Oh, stars, I’m late, aren’t I?” He went to stand up, nearly dropping the phone from his paw and tripping over his own long legs. “Well, Mama, it was real nice talkin’ with ya, but it looks like it’s bout time for me to letcha go-”
“Jasper.” Both Mrs. Jowls and Chuck E. cut him off at the same time. Jasper whipped his head to look at Chuck E. again before turning back to his phone, all the while standing in front of the couch like a deer in the headlights. Chuck E. walked over, close enough to rest a hand on the arm rest of the couch. “Hi, uh, Mrs. Jowls, I’ll let you go first.”
“Thank you, Charlie, sweet boy.” Chuck E. blushed. “Now Jasper, baby, I’m not gon’ make you keep me on here while you boys talk, but I want you to talk about this, not just bury y’self in more work when you’re all tore up, y’hear?”
“But Mama-” If I don’t bury it, then he’ll see it, and feel bad, an-
“She’s right, Jasper.” Chuck E. sat on the couch, now leaning his elbow on the arm rest. “I-I’m sure Helen and the guys’ll be alright. I’d, um, really like it i-if we could talk.” He softly smiled up at Jasper and patted the spot on the couch next to him.
Jasper bit his lip. Bet he overheard me bein’ all upset and mushy about him. Damn. “I-” He kept looking at Chuck E. and then averting his eyes. As the seconds passed, Chuck E.’s little reassuring smile started to fall. Jasper sighed. Who let this damn mouse be so damn cute ? Jasper unthinkingly plopped himself on the couch with his leg less than a foot from Chuck E.’s. Whoops, too late to move now.
“Alright, alright, y’all win. I’ll talk about-” Jasper groaned. “-My feelings or whatever.”
Distantly Jasper could hear his mama saying something about being proud and talking to him later, but all he could focus on was Chuck E. beaming up at him again. …I am so fucked.