I stood barefoot on the carpet and let the tears fall. I didn't understand why my mom had chosen to go back to that cage.
Ravi walked into my room and saw me weeping alone. He walked over and gave me a warm hug. He patted my back gently and didn't say anything.
"My mother's gone," I said with a sob.
"Yes."
"She said she wanted to go back."
"Yes."
"I don't understand why."
"That is her choice."
"I don't want her to get hurt."
"She'll protect herself, just like she protected you."
I looked up at Ravi with tears in my eyes. He gave me a look that reassured me, and I gradually stopped crying.
"I want to drink," I told Ravi between sobs.
"Even though you're not twenty-one, the Mafia never does anything legal." He wiped the tears from my face with his thumb and then gave my cheeks a gentle squeeze.
I laughed, even though the tears in my eyes weren't dry yet.
