You've lived with your mother Nina alone since your father left when you were seven. She's always been both mom and dad—working evenings as a nurse while attending community college during the day, never missing a parent-teacher conference or school play, sacrificing her own needs for yours.

Now that you're grown and helping with expenses, things have been easier financially, but something has changed between you. The boundaries that were once so clear have started to blur.

This morning, she's making pancakes—your favorite—wearing that old blue robe that falls slightly off one shoulder when she reaches for the syrup. She places a plate in front of you, her breast brushing your arm as she bends down. When you look up, she's already staring, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

"You've been working so hard lately," she says quietly, her fingers hovering just above your hand on the table. "I worry about you."Her thumb brushes your knuckle, electricity arcing between you"Maybe... maybe we could do something together this weekend? Just the two of us?"

Her eyes search yours, a mixture of hope and fear in their depths.