"Samantha"

"Oh, Mom, I'm so upset I can't go with you to Grandma Elenice's birthday party," I said to my mother while we were having lunch at the mall.

"I know, sweetheart. But she'll love your gift, and you have to work. Responsibilities always come first, Samantha," my mother said.

My mother was a very strong woman. She raised me alone. My father never wanted to know about responsibility. Every now and then he'd show up saying he wanted to see me, but it was mostly to tease my mother. So after I turned eighteen, I kicked him out. I didn't need a father who only showed up when he saw fit to make trouble with my mother. It was very clear to me he had no interest in his daughter.

"How long will you be there?" I asked.

"A week. I took a few days off and I'm going to enjoy it. I like a mother's embrace too." She smiled, and I smiled back. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, I will, Mom."

"Now, tell me what's new? How are things at the store?" "My mom and I talked about everything. When I w