“Mom, hi.” I slow my walk. “Where’s Heath?”

“School started back today.”

“And he didn’t take his phone?” I thought the thing was attached to his right hand.

“We’re sharing a phone now. Having two was really a waste of money. Especially when I’m still paying for you to be on our plan.”

I don’t think she means to make me feel like a burden, but the fact that I might be somehow responsible for taking resources that they need has me feeling awful twenty seconds into the conversation.

“Nine more months and you can remove me forever,” I say with a little more frustration than intended.

“Well, don’t get all moody with me. I get enough of that from your brother.” Her voice softens. “How’s school?”

“It’s fine. Listen, Mom, I just called to check in. Will you have Heath call me when he gets home?” I’m probably a shitty son for not wanting to chat but talks with my mom never leave me feeling better.

“Sure, but I’m not expecting him until late. He’s working at the country club after school today.”

My feet turn to lead, and I pause in the middle of the sidewalk. “What about hockey?”

“He quit the team last night.”

I don’t ask why. I know he did it to try and help out financially, but if he quits then everything I’ve done to this point will have been for nothing. I shouldn’t have been so hard on him last night. He’s a kid, making kid mistakes.

“He can’t quit, Mom. He’s got a real shot at college.”

She sighs. “I know. I tried to tell him, but he said he needed to start carrying his weight. I couldn’t talk him out of it.”

“I told him I’d figure something out.”

“Even so, we’re struggling to cover all the other expenses. It adds up. He understands. Maybe once I get a job…” Her words trail off. I’m not sure she even believes it enough to finish the sentence.

Waiting for my mom to get a job and then keep said job for more than a month is like wishing on a star. She sighs and the guilt I feel about Dad claws at my throat.

My mom was a teacher before my dad died. She worked at a private school teaching science. She was the mom who, despite working long hours grading papers and putting together lesson plans, still volunteered and still found time to be there for Heath and me. She never missed a high school game.