“I spoke up,” my mother says with emphasis as if putting herself in opposition to me.
Even in the dream, I go on the defense. My reaction feels ancient and trite. Like something I thought I was done doing, but clearly, I am not. I would like to believe that I am a person who shows up, speaks up, and steps up, but my mother bursts that bubble from beyond with one sentence. She, who built out a solid nest between being unhappy and not doing anything about it, implies I have an issue. Or maybe I have her permission?