The Perfect Mother

Some want it to happen. Some wish it would happen. Some make it happen

only thing worse for a woman than making herself dependent on a man—’”
Nell finishes her sentence: “‘—is to have a child dependent on her

After all, a happy mother, a happy home.

I won’t ever, not once, stand in the grocery store, talking loudly to my child, hoping everyone hears how understanding I am, how close we are, as if parenting is a fucking piece of performance art.

“I read this awful article yesterday. It was all about Winnie and the so-called Medea complex, from Greek mythology. The daughter of a king, she avenged her husband’s betrayal by killing their children.”

I moved closer, pulling him toward me, lost in the feel of his skin, his smell, his body pressed against mine. “You need me as much as I need you. You know it.”

One impulsive decision can destroy an entire life.

I walked the ward with you, babe. A thousand miles with you. I dried your tears of pain, babe. A million times for you.”