At 2 A.M., a Hidden

For once, she had no room to rewrite the scene.

There she was.

Her hand in Ava’s hair.

Her mouth near Ava’s face.

Her words clear.

This is my son’s house. My son’s money. My son’s name.

Ava stared straight ahead.

I took her hand under the table.

She squeezed once.

The judge denied my mother’s petition.

Then he extended the protective order.

My mother’s mask cracked.continue reading …