"See, Mom? That's more like it! Let's just put this unpleasantness behind us. From now on, just be more careful, okay? Don't be so impulsive. It really ruins the family harmony."
I sidestepped, letting her hand drop.
I didn't trust myself to speak.
Just then, Aria's phone rang. She answered, and her mother-in-law's voice blared from the speaker.
"Aria, darling, it's freezing over here! Several of my friends have flown down to Sanya for the winter. I want to go too."
Without a second's hesitation, my daughter beamed. "Mom, if you want to go, then go! Jonathan and I will put in for leave right now. We'll bring Lily along to keep you company. We can make a whole vacation out of it!"
"Oh, that sounds wonderful! It's about time you enjoyed some blessings."
I stood there, stunned, watching my daughter eagerly arrange her schedule.
Last month, my back pain was so severe I couldn't get out of bed. I had begged Aria to take a single afternoon off to drive me to the hospital.
Her response had been sharp and impatient.
"Mom, I'm swamped at work. I can't just take leave whenever you want. Do you have any idea how much trouble it causes me to miss even half a day?"