11
Grandma took me home.
Grandma said, my Dad’s crazy, he can’t take
care of me anymore.
I asked Grandma, “Where’s Mom? I want
Mom.”
Grandma cried.
く
She wiped her tears, taking me to the
window.
“Lily, do you see the stars? Your mom’s a star
now, she’s watching you.”
I looked at the stars.
“Is Mom happy now?”
Grandma paused, saying, “Happy, happy.”
“Your mom must be happy now.”
Good.
In my memory.
Mom was rarely happy.
Г
Since Carol came, Mom didn’t smile much.
Dad always yelled at her, drank a lot, he
smelled bad.
He pointed at Mom’s nose, his voice was
mean.
“So, you were with me, to marry into money?
Sarah, did you ever love me?”
Mom shook her head, saying, “Jason, that’s
not true, you misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood what? I heard everything your
ex–boyfriend said, congratulations on
marrying rich, your dream came true, right?”
Mom shook her head.
く
Dad looked disappointed, saying, “Sarah, I
didn’t know you were that kind of woman.”
Mom wanted to say something, but Dad
grabbed her throat, his eyes wild.
was scared, ran over, grabbed Dad’s hand.
But, I was too small.
I bit his arm.
Dad yelled, pushing me away.
Mom held me.
I looked at Dad, saying, “Dad, don’t go.”
He didn’t listen, leaving, slamming the door.
く
I asked Mom, “Mom, will Dad come back?”
At first, Mom would hold me, saying, “Yes,
Dad’s just mad, he’ll be back when he cools
down.”
Later, Mom never said Dad was coming back.
She just held me, saying, “Lily, I’ll always be
with you.”
Mom.
You’re lying.
