Please go away. The pleading note was gone from her voice, and I tensed up, preparing myself in case she got angry again. But she just stomped to the door and slammed it on her way out. I sank down to the ground and curled up like an exhausted child. My mother came in.
Dinner is ready.
She pulled a Kleenex out of her pocket, rushed over to me, and started dabbing at my cut head. I'll be fine. I brushed her away. I can get you some ice or some Aspirin. She looked at me, worried.