"Mother?" She echoes, eyes wide and mouth parted in shock. I offer a feeble nod in return, fearing what she might be thinking about me right now. My eyes slide down on their own, fixing themselves on my battered sneakers, unable to face the shock and revulsion that is sure to be there in her expression.
"Why would," I hear her swallow thickly. She seems to be at a loss for words. In the end, all she whispers is,"Why?"
I take in a shaky breath and raise my shoulders in what I hope is a nonchalant shrug, but I suspect that she saw right through it. I keep my eyes stubbornly latched on my shoes, forcing myself to study the worn-out pattern of the laces and patched-up sides. I feel a warm feather-like touch glide across the skin of my neck, and my body reacts instantly, a shiver of heated de
