Some Space

Erica

"Of course I do." I was proud of myself for not skipping a beat.

"You're a terrible liar, Erica. You've got too much of your father in you." She cackled loudly.

I sat in a stony silence, not sure what to say or do. I had nothing left to give, and even if I had... she wouldn't have accepted it. My father's passing hurt her too much for her to be around me. I looked like him, acted like him, was him in feminine form.

"Everything okay in here?" The nurse poked her head in the room, and I glanced up, not realizing that an hour had gone by. We hadn't said another word to each other. There was nothing to say.

"Yes. My daughter was just packing up to leave." My mom turned her face toward the window. "Don't bother coming again. I know you don't want to be here, and you know I don't like seeing you."

"Mom-"

"Don't. Come. Again." She jerked her head around and narrowed her eyes. "Period."

I nodded and stood up, knowing better than to fight with her. I picked up my purse and walked to the