Chapter 12 Flynn hardly mourned . He found a girlfriend instead - until Mom drove her off within days . They sold the house , took the cash , and left Mom behind . Beaten by debt collectors , Mom ended up in the hospital . She clutched my hand , sobbing , " Lauren, your brother's gone . Don't abandon me too . " I smiled sweetly . " Don't worry , Mom . I've got you . ' " I wheeled her out , dumped her on the gravel , and walked away sipping bubble tea . " Exercise is good for recovery . Life is movement , remember ? " To bystanders , I explained , " That's my mom . She's recovering . My brother ran off - it's just me now . 11 I exposed all my mother's deeds . Those who once pitied her now stared in shock , muttering criticisms behind her back . " Bad wife , bad mother ... cursed face . " " If I were her , I'd kill myself . " Her face shifted through shades of humiliation.I lifted her onto the wheelchair and pushed her back . " So ? How do you feel after a day of ' exercise ' ? Any better ? " She glared at me with pure venom . " What's wrong ? Done pretending ? I thought you couldn't understand English . " When she had recovered most functions , except the ability to work , I sent her into the cheapest nursing home . Shared rooms , one careless nurse , constant humiliation . Because it was cheap , the aide wiped her after toileting openly , without even closing the curtain . When bathing her , they left her pale , limp body exposed on the bed . The room was full of men . She struggled , pushing the aide away and pulling the sheet over herself . The aide wasn't having it - a slap struck her face . Old men leered nearby , watching her openly.At night , some crept into her bed - forcing her to confront the raw truth of life , as they called it . When I visited , she clutched my clothes and sobbed . " They harass me ! They violate me . Please , Lauren . " I tucked her blanket and said softly . " Mom , It's lonely at home . Here you can make friends . Molesting ? Don't be dramatic . These were all Dad's closest friends , They're taking good care of you . Can't you be a little more grateful ? " I left her there - trapped , tormented day and night . By the time I visited again , she was a drooling shell , eyes vacant . My years of resentment vanished . I smiled - deep , unburdened , and cold .