thirty-five

"Hey, Mia, let's go out."

I look at my mom like she's crazy. "What?"

"You know. Like go shopping or something."

"Um. Why?"

"Because you're my daughter."

"But I've always been your daughter. And this has never happened before."

She sighs. "Look, I just wanted to do something nice. If you don't want to-"

"No. I want to. When?"

"Tonight?"

I nod. "Yeah, let me just put my stuff in my room."

"Wait."

I turn and she's pulling me into a hug. I blink and slowly hug her back.

"Sorry," she breathes, pulling away.

I shake my head and smile. "It's okay. I liked it."

She looks at me hopefully and I really notice her age. She has wrinkles around her brown eyes and she looks wore down.

"Okay. I'll be back."

She nods and I run up the stairs. Me. My mom.

We're going out.