"I imagine you have," I retorted smugly.

It was obvious she was acting strong, but there was a vulnerability in her eyes. She was worried that I might make Mom choose between the two of us.

"What do you really want?" she asked, taking a shot at me, "Some of us have jobs."

"I want two things actually," I responded, although it was actually three, but that would have to wait a while.

"That's probably overly ambitious of you," she retorted, very good at the cold hard outer surface glare.

"One, I want you to stop being so insensitive with Mom about my father," I began.

"Agreed," she nodded, surprisingly...