There’s a knock on the bathroom door. I open it to see my mother. “Oh,” she says looking startled. “I didn’t know you were awake.”

“Had another nightmare.”

She gives me a sad smile. “I thought they ended.”

“No, I wish.”

“Where are you going this early?” she asks as she looks over my outfit.

“Delia is calling in. Eating.” I stop myself, knowing the words aren’t right, and take a few seconds. This is what I can’t handle. My brain says: Delia is coming over so we can go get breakfast, but my mouth says something else. My mother doesn’t say a word, she allows me the time I need to collect myself and try again. “Delia is taking me to breakfast.”

“Is that a good idea? To go out and see the people in town?”

And here is where I want to rail against the world. For the last fourteen years, I’ve been on my own. The day I left for college, I learned how to survive on my own and be worth—something. I’ve spent my time taking care of myself, proving that I don’t need anyone to make it.

More than that, I’m getting better each day. I’m trying to do more so that I can stop living in this prison and get back to the life I want. “Mom . . .”

She raises her hands. “I know, I know, you’re grown now and don’t need me to worry over you. I just don’t want to see you struggle, honey. That’s all. I know how the people here are, and there’s a lot of gossip around you returning.”

I exit the bathroom and lean against the wall. “I have to try.”

“Yes. You do.” There’s defeat in each word, but there’s also a bit of pride. “Did you take your medicine?”

I swear she just said I didn’t need her to worry.

“Yes.”

If I don’t, I’ll be curled in a ball, begging for someone to put me out of my misery.

“Then I guess have a good time.”

I walk over, squeeze her hand, and smile. “Thank you, Mom.”

She sighs. “I’m trying, sweet girl.”

“I know. We both are.”

“Go on now.” Mom kisses my cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

For all the things that my mother has struggled through, giving love has never been one. My father leaving her was a blow she never recovered from. Winnie and I knew that my mother was doing her best. She loved us and did everything she had to in order to make sure we survived. Her heart was broken, but all we saw was strength.

My father, on the other hand, is a piece of shit. He walked away from his daughters without a second glance.