I was already in high school, so I could stay home alone without my mom. I was grateful she raised me all by herself. That’s why I put on a brave face and said, “I’ll be fine even without you, Mom.”
But the truth is, on the morning of my entrance exam I wanted her to say “Do your best.” I wanted her to come to my high school graduation too…
I swallowed those wishes and never told her. I thought maybe our relationship could only go on if I kept saying the words she wanted to hear.