“Michael?!” His mother lunged out of the room with arms stretched out to find him.
Eleanor skillfully let go of his hand and stepped aside, allowing him to be swallowed entirely by his mother’s embrace.
Michael was caught by surprise, really. His mother’s embrace melted all his strengths and resistances, to such a degree that he almost lost his balance.
“I’m sorry, mom,” Michael begged, hugging her back tightly. His face twisted as if to cry, but it seemed like he had run out of tears.
“What’re you talking about, sorry?! You’re not okay?” she asked.
“I couldn’t stop them, mom,” Michael again begged, fighting through hiccups.
“You tried to stop them?!” his mother yelled, pushing him away. Then, she noticed the shoulder. “What is this?? I thought you were at school when--” her look shi
