She Sold Her Hair

“She’s recovering well,” I said.

My mother cried silent tears.

“I told myself your money was mine because I raised you,” she admitted. “Then I decided Paige deserved more because she was younger. And when Gwen got sick, I was so afraid of spending what I thought was mine that every wrong choice came easier than the last.”

I didn’t hug her. I didn’t shout.

“Admitting your greed doesn’t undo the damage,” I said.

“I know,” she whispered. “Do you think she could ever forgive me?”