Mom's Bully

When Mary opened her eyes, it was already the next morning. 

Her body hurt all over. She couldn't move, so she just lay there and stared at the ceiling. Her eyes were blank for a long time before she remembered how she sustained her wounds.

She raised her arm slowly and observed the scabs. Sadness, anger, and disappointment ebbed and flowed within her. As she looked on at back of her hand, there was a knock on the door.

Jason asked in his childish voice, "Mom, are you awake? Can I come in?"

She gently put her hand down on the bed and stared at the door.

Marry hesitated. She didn't want Jason to see her injuries and make him worried, so she didn't answer him. She pretended to be asleep, as if she could not hear him.

"Mom?" Jason asked again.

"Are you inside? I miss you. I had nightmares last night." He knocked on the door again.

Mary could not bring herself to leave Jason outside the door. 

"Come in," Mary said.