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Show Fair Forever 50 I'm stunned. ; Mom has cried before, but never sobbed. She cried when she told me about Dad, and she cried when Dr. Dill confirmed I needed a transplant. She even cried when Amanda left. But she never buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Today, Mom sobs. Her back heaves in rolling convulsions. Tears seep through her fingers and drip from her chin. She sounds like Amanda did when she cried in the night-like she couldn't face the dawn, let alone the day that followed. . I stand by my door and try to avert my eyes. I think to leave, but I can't. I think to put my arm around Mom and hold her while she cries. I think to tell her I'm sorry for losing the calculator. But I don't say anything. I don't do anything. I only stand by the door, feeling awkward. Finally, I bring Mom tissues and wait until the last sob squeezes through her fingers, ' . ! : * •'•;-. , She wipes her eyes. "I need to get a job, Bradley," she says. "I need to start earning a few dollars to help make ends meet. Your dad's life insurance is almost gone." She blows her nose and looks at the floor. "Now that you're better, I was hoping you'd want to go back to school, I thought you'd want to be with your friends." She pauses, .considers her next comment. "I guess I could wait. See how you do." , ; I don't argue. Now isn't the time. |