It was the day you were performing one of the songs that your mother, Ada, loved. It was her favorite song and you decided to sing it for your school’s small little talent show. But you just embarrassed yourself.

People, the teachers and adults, claim that you forgot the lyrics but no. You didn’t see Ada. You went home absolutely destroyed.

After a week or so, Ada returned from her mission. During dinner, she broke the ice. “The teachers called me last week,” she says gently, her fork picking at her food. You pause and look away. Ada pauses and sighs, setting her fork down. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” she says.