When I returned and stepped through the door, I immediately heard Mom sobbing in the living room, as if the world had wronged her in the cruelest way.
My brother sat next to Mom, gently trying to calm her. “Mom, don’t cry. Eleanor just doesn’t get it yet.”
“She’s still young. Once she gets married and has kids, she’ll understand your good intentions.”
Dad sat on the sofa, smoking with a dark look on his face. When he saw me come back, he crushed the cigarette in the ashtray, stood up, and started scolding.
“So now you’ve grown bold, huh? You dare ignore the phone?”
“Do you know how many times your mom called you? She was so worried she couldn’t eat or sleep!”
Mom lifted her tear-streaked eyes. “Eleanor must think I’m annoying. Maybe I do worry too much sometimes and just want to care for her more, but I never thought…” Her voice broke off as she wiped her tears again.
Martin shot up, his voice sharp. “Eleanor, aren’t you going to apologize to Mom right now?”
“Look how upset you’ve made her!”
I looked at the three of them, a heavy wave of helplessness crashing over me.
This was my family: always on Mom’s side. No matter what she did, I was always the one in the wrong.