The Perfect Mother

by Aimee Molloy

You have a tendency to ruminate on things, he’d say. But, interestingly, never the positive aspects of your life.

I should be a pro at this by now. I’ve been lying my whole life.

I won’t ever, not once, stand in the grocery store, talking loudly to my child, hoping everyone hears how understanding I am, how close we are, as if parenting is a fucking piece of

performance art. I won’t become a different person.