It was a fact. I had the best house and the most amazing mother

IT was hard to believe that ninth grade was over and I was packing for camp. It had definitely been a challenging year. I’d navigated a new school with way more teachers and way more homework than I ever had before. But Bubby’s words rang in my ears. I am good. I can hold my head up high.

With those words as my motto, I told the truth without any apologies. Yes, my parents were divorced and no, I don’t need to give you any more details. Except to Malki. I felt so fortunate to have found in Malki a trustworthy friend, full of empathy. She listened when I vented. She gave advice only when I asked for it. And she was so much fun. We talked and laughed away the hours that were meant to be for studying.

My house was the best place to hang out. We usually had it to ourselves. And when Mommy came home, she was sure that we must be starving.  Somehow, she was always pulling a fresh cake out of the oven, and she happily cut us slices and joined us at the table. We would talk and laugh and sometimes our conversations would get more serious with my friends asking my mother for advice or guidance.

It was a fact. I had the best house and the most amazing mother.