“I don't understand what's going on, mom". I pulled at my tie dejectedly. “It seems like the universe is suddenly against me" I have up on the tie, slumping. I was tired. Tired of everything.

My mother stared at me. “The universe is not against you, boy. You'll be all right". She rose and loosened the tie herself. I sighed when it was successfully over my head. It was strangling.

“I don't know. First I lost Nat. Now something I'd closed so perfectly is...I just don't know. Who would try to crash our work?" I followed my mother to the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

My mom...