Page 12 (1/2)

She lifted her left shoulder slightly "You turned out just fine Successful Happy"

I laughed My laugh held no aht I had turned out fine Because I had been successful? The shallowness that consumed this woman was hard to be around I didn’t want to talk to her If I could do this without her I would But she was Wills’ mother

"Success doesn’t equal happiness, Hilda"

She raised her eyebrows as if what I’d said was ridiculous "Winston, you have never wanted for anything Not once I was cold in the winter, I went to bed hungry every night, and my clothes were either made by my mother or they were found in trash bins, thrown out by others I lived in poverty I watched h that eventually consumed her in a cold, little one-bedroo life What Wills has is everything I didn’t I love "

I’d never known anything about Hilda’s youth or fah that was a sad story I still asked, "Did your mother try to keep you warm? Did she beat you or call you names to belittle you? Did she take care of you when you were sick? Did she love you?"

I stopped and waited for her to respond Hilda tensed and I watched as she took a deep breath through her nose I’d hit a nerve She finally gave ht nod That was it

"Yes, she beat you? Or yes, she took care of you the best she could? She loved you?"

Hilda cut her eyes away from me "She did the best she could"

"Did you feel loved?" I repeated

There was no response for several seconds When Hilda finally turned her gaze back to me she said, "Yes But love didn’t feed iveI’d never been cold or hungry

"A child needs love just as es you I want Wills to feel loved I don’t want hiry with hioes away, even as an adult that can easily handle hi you that you eak once You were alone"

Hilda sighed and took the napkin from her lap and placed it on the table in front of her before she stood up "I can’t keep doing this with you We are not going to agree on what is best for Wills If he’s your son, I know he’ll have just as e in this world than if he is your father’s son Do whatever you think you ave Wills up before he was born That pre-nup made sure of it"

Hilda picked up her purse and tucked it under her ar my last visit I’ll know If he is ht for hiht If you won’t, I will"

She gave a nod "Like I said, do what you think you must Goodbye, Winston"