A Special Bond

            
            
            
            
             Many relationships in life are special and different in several ways. That interaction between Fenstad and his mother in "Fenstads' Mother," by Charles Baxter shows the special bond a mother and son share. You can tell by the limited third person point of view the way Fenstad felt and can get an understanding of the personality of his mother. Through concerns, opinions and actions Fenstad and his mother's relationships is unique in how they show love for each other.
             Fenstad is very concerned about his mother and her old age. You can tell that he is worried that his mother might be depressed or experiencing memory loss. Fenstad was worried about his mother so "Quickly he checked her apartment for any signs of memory loss or depression. He found none and immediately he felt relief." (Paragraph 5) Specifically this reveals how worried he really gets and how much seeing she was fine calmed him down. he just wants her to be happy. Fenstad has to help her out because her old age has affected her physical ability to help herself to do things. Since he loves her so much he willing do help her in any way possible; "He held his mother's elbow from the car to the door. At the door, looking back to make sure that he had turned his headlights, he saw his tracks and his mother's in the snow. His were separate footprints, but hers formed two long lines." (Paragraph 61). His mother can no longer pick up her feet and must shuffle as she walks even with the help of her son. You can tell he feels bad for his mother as he immediately runs to help her walk to the building instead of letting her try to manage alone. "He looked at his mother and saw as the passed under a street light, a combination of sadness and delicacy in her face. Her usual mask of tough optimism seemed to be deserting her." (Paragraph 19). He was noticing that his mother's usually bright personality is becoming more depressing.