Mom was standing on the other side of the living room, her makeup running down her cheeks. She’d just gotten that mascara from the drug store two days ago with money I’d found in the couch. She was so proud of me for finding it, said we would go into town for a treat. I thought the treat was for me. It wasn’t. “Max, please,” she begged, her voice cracking as she fisted her dress at her sides. It was the same dress she always wore when he came over. It was the only one she had. He shook his head. “I can’t be here with you every fucking day, Sheri. I have work to do.”
