The shower was hot, the steam filling the entire room by the time I stepped out. My skin was tight, but I at least felt clean at last.

On the outside.

Mom's clothes were a shroud, wrapping me in her protection, as though I could don her skin and shed my own. Her reflection stared back at me, the scent of her all around me, keeping my head straight, my priorities in order.

My mother. She was the only one who mattered today.

The rest would have to ...