My Mother Showed Up After The Concert

in the background. Glasses clinking. Music.

“Mom, I need you to come now. Paramedics are on the way. I need someone here for the baby.”

Silence. Then:

“How long would this take? Christina and I have plans tonight.”

I thought I’d misheard her.

“We’re going to that concert at the Forum,” she continued. “The tickets were very expensive, Amanda. We’ve had them continue reading …