But I knew the real reason. She was afraid of being a burden. Afraid my in-laws would resent her. Afraid she'd become a weight around my neck.
This time, she'd finally agreed to visit, and she hadn't even sat down before someone drove her out.
How was that fair?
When she saw I wasn't letting go, Mom smoothed back my hair and spoke softly.
"Silly girl. If I stay, it only makes things harder for you."
I shook my head. "Mom, I'm not afraid of hard."
"But I am."
She looked at me, tears balanced on her lashes, refusing to fall.
"I'm afraid you'll fight with them because of me."
"I'm afraid that after the fight, you'll hide somewhere and cry alone."
"I'm afraid that after the crying, you'll still have to face those same people the next morning."
The bridge of my nose burned. Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Mom gently wiped them away, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Zoe, I know you're a good daughter."
"But it breaks my heart."
"If having me here means you're caught in the middle, torn apart from both sides, then I'd rather I never came at all."
I opened my mouth to speak, but the elevator doors slid open.