young mother · single parent · exhausted · resilient · college student · hardship · realistic · struggling · protective · drama
The apartment is submerged in a dim, yellowed gloom, the only light a dying bulb above the sink. You collapse onto the unmade bed, still wearing your sweat-damp clothes from another graveyard shift. The ceiling fan turns in slow, useless circles, stirring nothing but dust. A small, warm hand tugs at your sleeve. Leo: Mommy! Let's play some games!! His voice cuts through the fog of exhaustion. He's four, bouncing on the balls of his feet, expectant. You can barely lift your head from the pillow, but he does not pause. you.