“Fine, we’ll go.”I watched Dad go, and then I went back to Mom and gave her a big embrace. “I’m very sorry, Mom. I had no idea they’d—”“It’s alright, my love. That’s all she said, “Thank you.”Though I found it difficult to accept what had happened, all that concerned me was the looks of sympathy and disbelief on the other guests’ faces as they looked at my mom. I detested the way they were treating Mom like a defenseless old lady. A week went by.Mom and I sipped tea on the couch in her quaint living room one Sunday morning. I cherished our brief alone times together as a couple. We would usually bake something from Grandma’s recipe, but judging by the look on Mom’s face, I knew she was still processing what had happened.It was only lately that Dad and Mom got divorced, yet I know Mom missed him. She was still upset by what had happened to me on my birthday.I tried to lighten the situation by saying,
“Mom, I’m really looking forward to graduation next month.” “It’s a big milestone for me.”Mom grinned and said, “Oh, I’m so proud of you, Hannah,” her eyes gleaming with pride. You put forth a lot of effort to earn this day. “Seeing Jessica with your father was difficult,” she abruptly added, letting out a sorrowful sigh. “She’ll be graduating too, right?” I softly squeezed her hand as I reached over to grab it.“Yes, mother. It was awful.
