“For the record, Jo…” I rubbed her back, working small circles against her skin helped ease me into what I was about to say. “I know what it feels like to crave the love of a mother. Mine chose drugs over my brothers and me, but I still loved her all the same. If there was something I could have done to make her choose us, I would have done it. No matter the consequences.” My mother was the first woman I ever loved. She was the first woman to break my heart. She was the first woman to call me stupid, a burden. Too much to handle. Never mind the fact that I was quiet and withdrawn. I didn’t
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