My Son Brought

them. They’re ugly straight.”

She inhaled sharply.

That would have been enough to send me apologizing once.

Not anymore.

My mother said, “You are being incredibly cruel.”

“No,” I said. “I’m noticing cruelty. That’s different.”

Her voice changed then. It became wounded, breathy, the voice she used when she wanted to make herself small enough to be defended.continue reading …