You’re not supposed to dislike your mother.

Photo by Vero Manrique on Unsplash

September 21, 2019

You’re not supposed to dislike your mother. You’re not supposed to treat her disrespectfully. These are things I keep saying inside. Screaming inside. But no matter how many times I say them, still I look at her with my mouth set in a tight line.

I ask her what she wants, what she needs. Because that’s my job. I’m supposed to find out what she wants and ensure her needs are met.

I wordlessly make her a cup of tea. Resenting every second of it. I set it down, gently, on the small table by her chair. She thanks me. I smile a most insincere smile, avoiding eye contact, resuming my place in the chair to her left.

The only person I’m more angry with than my mother is myself.