Late-Awakened Mothenly Love

Before my A-Levels, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer—because I was starving.

When I told my mum, she thought I was lying and cut my allowance even more.

She said that when she was my age, she only had £60 a month, and here I was, getting £100. I should consider myself lucky.

She wanted me to learn the virtue of thrift.

Later, she and my dad went on holiday and left me with no money.

I ended up starving to death.

She held my body, crying uncontrollably.

"Mum, why are you crying?"