The woman says nothing — she just stares.
there were times when she defended them. times when she spoke up for them. times when she pushed through, pulled back, put herself in harm's way as any mother would — but he doesn't remember any of that.
he doesn't remember much at all.
but he remembers all those times she stood there. all those times she stared, mouth muted, breath bated. he remembers those moments with perfect clarity.
“there ya go, doin' what you do best,”
“— nothing.”













