I was certain that was the end of it, but Mom told me over dinner that she was looking forward to watching TV that night.

"I think we can go back to the bedroom, though," she said, "Since the couch is covered in your stuff." My mind flashed back to my mother standing up, covered in my stuff and I blanked. That's how my mind worked now. Everything was dirty.

I agreed with Mom of course. She could have suggested we go sleep on sharpened razor blades and I'd have said 'yes' in an instant. So, after we'd finished eating and done the dishes, our usually routine, I let Mom...