The First Day of School

Eden

"Good morning, sweetpea," Mom coos softly.

The mattress dips under her weight, and I blink against the sudden intrusion of morning light filtering through the bedroom blinds. Her warm hand gently brushes over my cheek, sweeping a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

"It’s time to get up," she says, her voice carrying that sickeningly cheerful morning lilt. "You don’t want to be late for you