I turned out the hallway light and stood there for a moment in the darkness. I looked at my room and then mom's. I noticed the light was on from the little stream of it underneath the door. I went to it and tried the doorknob softly. It opened. I went inside, shut it behind me and locked it.

I saw mom lying in bed with the pillows propped up behind her head. She was reading a book. She looked a little surprised to see me and was about to speak when I put a finger to my lips and approached her.

She pulled back the covers and allowed me...