Dallie woke up about four hours later. She turned on the small lampshade on the side table and squinted her eyes. Her mother was still asleep, which she thought was good. She remembered her mother used to be up and about before sunrise, just staring outside the window, into the darkness, into nothingness. She wondered what her mother was thinking during those times. Was it her father her mother was thinking of? Was it life without him? She knew her mom dearly loved him, in spite of his failures.
Now, her mother was peacefully in deep slumber. She felt guilty for waking her up. But she had to because they had to attend mass every Sunday, at six in the morning. The church was just a few blocks away from where they lived, so they would only walk and have exercise at the same time.
“Mom?” sh
