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today.” 
    “How’d it go?”  She asks as she moves her blonde hair from her coat collar. 
    “Good, I think.” I shrug. “I just have one more and a paper due, but I feel ready.”  Another thing I have to give my mom credit for is that she never wavers from telling me how proud she is of me.
    “That’s great sweetie.  Your dad and I are so proud of you.” 
    “Thanks mom.” As I say the words my breath stirs like it always does when I say mom. I still have a hard time calling her mom since she came back, but through therapy it’s become easier. “Um, would you care if I went in by myself tonight?”
    “Sure, I’ll wait here for you. Are you feeling okay?” She holds her posture never letting on that I’ve offended her or wasted her time coming up here. I look in her eyes for a brief second and I can see concern, but approval. Her smile is genuine and I relax when I process her reaction.
    “Thanks, I’ll be down soon.”
    “Okay, I love you Kate.”  She gives me a soft peck on my head and gently wraps her arms around me.  I try desperately not to pull away, but I’m nervous to betray my instincts that she could still hurt me. She releases me before my breathing picks up and I quickly make my way over to the elevators.

    When the elevator beeps I make my way out and over to my mom sitting in a stiff leather chair in the lobby.  Her face is hiding in a magazine and she looks to be enthralled in whatever story she’s reading.  I pause for a moment to collect my thoughts from my therapy session.  As much as I dread coming I always feel better when I leave. 
    “Hi, I’m done,” I say and then sit in one of the chairs next to her.
    “Oh good, do you want to get something to eat? I’m sure you’ve been busy studying and have to be hungry for a good meal.” She smiles at me and reaches over to rub the top of one of my hands. Just like every week she always asks this and I always decline, but I decide that today is the day I will say yes.
    “Yea, that sounds good.  I’m starving.”  It’s hard for her to hide her shock, but she looks beyond happy at my acceptance to go.  I don’t hide my response and smile at her.
    We head out and walk over to a restaurant around the corner. The hostess sits us in a booth next to the windows that look out onto Wisconsin Avenue.  The restaurant is busy for a weeknight and I’m glad for the distractions.  It’s odd to sit across from my mom and feel uncomfortable and nervous.  We were never like this before.  We had always been close.  Maybe too close I think.  I keep my eyes fixed on my menu afraid to make eye contact with her.  The waiter comes and takes our order and then I feel forced to make conversation.  When I look up I see her eyes that resemble mine and her face that looks soft and young.
    “Kate, sweetie, let’s just talk about … nothing. Try to enjoy ourselves.” I look at her wide-eyed and bite down nervously on the bottom corner of my lip. Part of me wants this more than anything. I contemplate my response pushing the battle in my head to the side.
    “Okay.” She doesn’t miss a beat once I concede.
    “Did you know Daniel has a new girlfriend? She’s the Lawler’s girl. Really I think they are just good friends,” she says with a lightness in her voice.
    “Really, wow, that’s kinda funny since they’ve known each other since they were babies.”  I laugh a little.  “That kid cracks me up.  He better be careful with all these girls swooning over him so early.”  My mom laughs along with me and it feels good.
    “What about you?  Are you dating anyone?”  I stop laughing and look down at my drink swirling the straw around.  I swallow through the tightness I feel rising in my chest. My mind instantly floats to Reed.  No, but I’d really like to be.
    “No.”
    “What about Reed? Do you ever see him?” Her tone is soothing and gentle. I know she is being sincere, but it’s hard for me to trust her. I