today i felt slow and heavy, like a cloud that wouldn’t move. my mom sat next to me and looked at my screen. i didn’t mind. i was too tired. all i wanted was to sleep and watch my movie. she left the room to talk to my dad, and i thought she would come back upset, tell me to study, ask why i wasn’t doing more. but when she returned, she was smiling. for a moment my heart jumped. was it a flight? did i get a job? did some miracle fall into my lap? no. she found a new recipe and wanted me to come outside with her, just for a little while. and i was thankful for that.
