My Mother Locked the Gate on Me

than I remembered.

When she saw me, her face broke open.

“Arden?”

I stopped walking.

She came at me fast enough that I had to brace for impact.

Her arms went around my neck. She smelled like hairspray and hospital soap.

“You came home,” she said into my shoulder.

I didn’t hug her right away.

Then I did.

One arm first. Then both.

“Apparently.”

She pulled back continue reading …