I don’t know if the comical determination to discipline a twenty-five year old or the image of my much larger body over her lap was what broke me, but I was rolling with laughter for long minutes. I breathlessly staggered out of bed and crushed her small body into a tight hug.
“Thank you, Mom,” I whispered in her ear and she chuckled as she patted my back.
“You’re welcome, son. Now go take that shower.” She wrinkled her nose and waved the offensive odor away. I laughed again and headed to the bathroom. I scrubbed myself clean, shaved, and put on clean clothes. Looking at myself in the mirror, I took a few deep breaths and headed outside to face the world once more.
OVER THE FOLLOWING few months, Michael did as I’d told him I’d do. He steered clear of me. All the usual visits to check on
