Mama turned around and left the room, calling over her shoulder, "You'll put your foot down and stop all that foolishness when you're my age...wait and see." Then all I could hear was Mama stomping down the stairs, mumbling to herself before slamming the front door on her way out.

I sighed, feeling a little sad as I almost always did when I talked about anything with Mama...as I have said, Mama always seemed exasperated or angry with me, but this...maybe it wasn't any of my business, but maybe it did explain why Daddy was so stressed. I remember when I was little and hearing the mattress springs in my...