Jessica’s legs twitched. Blood bubbled from
her nose and mouth. Then, stillness.
Mom threw herself on Jessica’s body,
sobbing.
Sirens wailed in the distance. The nightmare
was over.
Mom claimed self–defense. The police let her
go with a warning. Jessica wasn’t so lucky.
Mom’s blow had paralyzed her. Mom became
her caretaker.
く
One day, I passed by their house.
Heard Mom complaining. “What do you want
now?! Too hot? Too salty?! Just don’t eat!
I’m sick of this!”
“I should have hit you harder! Killed you! Now
I’m stuck taking care of a cripple!”
Jessica slurred, “You… you… die… die…”
A slap. Mom’s voice, furious. “You want me
dead?! Who’ll take care of you?! Ingrate! I
shouldn’t have helped you!”
“Now I have to take care of you and your sick
son! You’re both leeches!”
So much for their loving bond. They couldn’t
stand each other.
I left, took Leo far away.
Years later, Leo asked me, “Mom, why didn’t
you save… the other Ethan? He was your son,
too, right?”
I stroked his hair, smiled. “Homework time.
Don’t worry about complicated things. Just
く
So much for their loving bond. They couldn’t
stand each other.
I left, took Leo far away.
Years later, Leo asked me, “Mom, why didn’t
you save… the other Ethan? He was your son,
too, right?”
I stroked his hair, smiled. “Homework time.
Don’t worry about complicated things. Just
be happy.
99
What I didn’t say: Ethan had been my son.
But the look on his face, the smirk as he
unplugged me… it haunted me. I couldn’t see
him as my son anymore.
This ending… it was for the best. He had his
life, and we had ours.
Everything was finally right. We would be
happy. Finally.
