Soon after, I retired to the living room to watch TV while Mom went to her room. She left the door open, and I could hear her talking on the phone, probably catching up with a friend. Their conversation was too faint to comprehend the content, but I did hear her say goodbye.

She came out and sat by me on the couch, wrapping her arm around me to hug me. I could feel the heat from her body and her breath when she told me she would help me with a job. I turned and looked into those beautiful eyes while she continued to tell me she was talking...