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"That poor boy To go through all that… And shame on his mother Mothers are supposed to love their children unconditionally and always be there for them" My mom moves the pan off the stove and takes my hands in hers "If you’re really serious about this boy, you should bring hi your next holiday I don’t want hi Christmas alone or, worse, at his house where he can’t possibly feel safe" She reacts exactly the way I knew she would

Although she ht be a little on the crazy side, I’m lucky to have her as a parent

"I think… Or I’ve been thinking thatInstead, she opens my hand and studies the lines ofdown our tio back early, too, and be there for Seth"

"Is that what the lines say?" I joke

"They do," she replies, deadly serious "Just liketo meet someone nehen you went off to school You should know by now that ht" She closes et you on a flight"

"Thanks, Mo For not kickingForwho I am"

"You’re welcome, honey" She kisses me on the cheek "I love you"

"I love you, too" I pull back and head to et to Seth

Ten hours later, I’et ahold of his at ht to the dorht to voicehtly falling frorey sky and sprinkle the tree branches The scene would reat picture, but I don’t have et to Seth’s rooet to the locked entrance door, I cup lass I spot a few people hanging out in the lounge area and knock on the door A girl glances in ets up, and lets me in

I brush the snow out of my hair as I step inside and head toward his roo at his door, I knock loudly since someone has the music cranked up

Moments later, the music stops and Seth opens the door