That was five days ago.

We sat there for two hours.

No envelope. No excuse. No transaction.

Just me and my mom.

I do not think love cancels betrayal. I do not think good intentions make this okay. They do not.

But I do think this:

She did not steal my money because she wanted money.

She lied because she was terrified that one day I would stop coming, and she would have to admit she had seen it happening before I did.