15 THE WORDS WE PASS DOWN

“Fiorella!” Mother yelled. It's her “my ass is yours tonight voice.” A voice that I dreaded hearing. It usually came about me doing something stupid. Though, I can’t recall what it was that I did to upset her so much this time. I’ll just have to follow this a bit.

“Yes mother?” My nine soon to be ten-year-old self asked, looking for mercy.

“How many times do I have to tell you to clean up the living room?!? We have a guest coming!”

“I’m sorry mother.”

“Please, stop saying that you are sorry so much. You’ll start saying that to everyone and they will only take advantage of you. Do what you are told the first time around. Then there will be no problems.”

“Yes mother.”