Sky's mother stood in the doorway for a moment, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, as if she were holding herself together. Her eyes were swollen, her face pale, but she looked at him with a quiet determination.
"Don't take what your father said to heart," she began, her voice soft but steady. "He didn't mean it. He's just… in shock."
Sky slung his bag over his shoulder, avoiding her gaze. "Don't try to stop me from leaving," he said, his voice flat.
She shook her head quickly. "I'm not going to stop you. You're an adult. You're free to do as you please." She hesitated, then reached into her pocket and pulled out her bank card. "Here."
Sky stared at the card, stunned. "What's this for?"
"I don't want you stranded in a strange place," she repeated softly, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Sky stared at the card in his mother's trembling hand. His throat felt tight, like something was lodged there, impossible to swallow.
