I saw her when she came to the studio with a
Her friend worked hard, but Brittany played
games.
She had gained weight, her skin was oily, and
her face was full of pimples.
She was eating bad food, and not sleeping
well.
No one was taking care of her anymore.
She was completely free.
But too much freedom wasn’t good.
It didn’t matter.
She was nothing to me now.
I didn’t want to talk to her.
Г
I drew in the corner.
Christine was next to me, practicing.
Brittany went to get some snacks, and saw
- me.
She was shocked.
“What are you doing here?”
“You lost weight? Did you wear makeup? I
almost didn’t recognize you!”
“You dressed up to hook up with someone?”
She was loud and rude.
Everyone turned to look.
く
Most of the students knew I was the owner,
and they liked me.
They looked angry.
Christine looked worried.
I shook my head, and pulled Brittany to the
hallway.
I asked, “Don’t yell in public. Didn’t your dad
teach you that?”
She used to be polite.
What happened?
Was it Tom?
୮
Brittany spat on the floor. “Who are you
talking to?”
“You’re not my mom anymore! You can’t tell
me what to do!”
“You’re a loser! Who do you think you are?”
My voice turned cold.
“I’m talking to you as the owner.”
“You’re being disruptive. I’ll refund your
money.”
“Leave now.”
Brittany froze, and scoffed.
<
“You’re shameless!”
“Do you know this is the most popular studio?
You’re the owner? Are you serious?”
She poked my shoulder.
“I’ll tell my dad you lost it.”
“I’m glad I don’t live with you anymore!”
She spat again, and opened the door.
Then she stopped.
There was a crowd.
Christine was at the front, followed by a
dozen students.
Г
They were blocking the door.
The door blocked sound, but they could still
hear.
They looked angry.
I didn’t know what to say.
One student said, “You don’t deserve to be
her daughter!”
“You insulted your mom! How can you do
that?”
“I wish she was my mom.”
“You’re spitting everywhere! I’m ashamed of
you!”
<
Brittany was stunned.
Two students dragged her out.
Christine said, “You’re not welcome here!
Leave!”
I was crying.
My own daughter was trying to embarrass
- me.
And strangers were saving me.
I had so many people who cared about me.
Christine handed me a tissue. “Don’t be sad.
She doesn’t matter.”
<
“You’re a good person. She’s blind. It’s not
your fault.”
“Move on. We have to keep going forward.”
“That’s what you taught me.‘
Then she asked, “Can I… be your daughter?”
I hugged her.
Then I nodded.
“Yes.”
That night, I said goodbye to Christine, and
went to the gym.
As I left, Brittany came out.
<
She was waiting.
Her face was pale, and she was biting her lip.
I frowned. “What are you still doing here?”
She didn’t say anything.
I said, “I’m leaving.”
“Wait! Don’t go!” she said loudly.
Then she knelt down in front of me.
“Mom! I’m sorry!”
She started crying.
I wasn’t touched, I frowned. “What are you
doing?”
Г
She kept her head down.
“I was pretending to be tough. I’m not okay…”
“Dad doesn’t care about me, and neither does
my stepmom. Grandma only gives me a few
hundred dollars.”
“My boyfriend cheated on me, and then he
stole my money.”
“And I’m pregnant!”
“He doesn’t want me, and Dad won’t give me
money. I can’t get an abortion…”
“Mom, I’m sorry! I know I messed up!”
“I was being stupid. I won’t yell at your
<
anymore!”
“Can you forgive me? Just one last time? I’ll
do anything you say!”
“I promise! Mom?”
I felt dizzy.
I didn’t remember when she last called me
“Mom.”
She had been calling me “that woman” since
Tom said it.
She had never begged me before.
I almost softened.
But I remembered dying in that elevator shaft.
く
She was so happy when I died.
I couldn’t forgive her.
If I didn’t come back, I would be dead.
She was just my killer.
We were past fixing things.
I shook my head, and sighed.
“Forget it.”
“You’re not my daughter anymore.”
“I’ll pay for your abortion, that’s my last act of
kindness.”
L
“We’re done.”
“Don’t see me again.”
Christine came out. “What’s going on?”
I grabbed Christine’s hand, “It’s okay, let’s
go.”
“Aren’t you going to call me Mom?”
Christine blushed. “Mom.”
Brittany stared at us.
She finally realized.
My love for her was gone.
L
She regretted it.
But it was too late.
The next morning, Tom and his mom showed
- up.
Tom looked at my outfit and said, “Wife, you
look amazing!”
I said, “Watch what you say.”
His mom smiled and grabbed my hand. “I
heard you’re rich. It’s true.”
“You look younger. Money can buy anything.”
“Since you’re doing so well, can you give us
more money?”
Г
“Taking care of Brittany is hard, and the child
support isn’t enough.”
I interrupted. “I pay eight thousand dollars a
month, your son made 15k a month. Where
did that go?”
“If you don’t know, ask your son.”
Tom pulled his mom aside. “Mom, you were
going to ask for money, not child support!”
His mom said, “I was just making an excuse!
Where did the money go?”
