Although very dysfunctional, my mother loved me.

Dear mom,

The sky was very blue that day, the sun shining on a not so perfect world, not a cloud in sight. It was a Thursday afternoon and i had walked back to our hotel from school. There were a bunch of teenagers sitting outside of the hotel smoking weed and laughing. It was so hot I remember all I wanted was a cold glass of water, and something to eat. I was hungry for a snack too. As I went to walk up the stairs, I saw you sitting on the top stair. Your hair wasn't combed, your make up not done and you were wearing those ugly sweat pants, those ones I hated. You didn't even look up at me, but I sat down next to you and asked you what was wrong. You told me not to worry about it, but that I couldn't go into the room because Ed (your boyfriend) was mad, and that he didn't want to see us. You said we needed to find a place to stay for the night, or money for another night in the hotel.
You got up and told me to wait there, you said you had an idea. After I watched you walk away, tears slowly sweeping my face, I pulled out a reading book that I had gotten from school. I started to read and then you returned. You had a piece of cardboard and a sharpie in your hand and you started to write something. When it was finished you showed it to me , and told me we were going to go to the nearest freeway off ramp and sit there with the sign. I didn't really understand what was going on and I didn't think much of it. I asked you if i should stay back and wait, but you said no, that having a child there would get us more money. So we walked down to the freeway, and when you saw me crying you grabbed my hand and held it. When we got to the freeway you told me to sit on this rock that was near it, where people could see. You held your sign as you stood next to me. I kept complaining about how hungry I was, and you told me not to talk. One lady with bright blond hair and bright red lipstick rolled down her window and told you that you were disgusting for doing such a thing to your kid. You didn't say anything to her, but instead you focused on holding the tears back. I wasn't as strong and I could never hold it back. Another guy rolled down his window and handed you five dollars. You thanked him and then looked at me and handed me the five dollars. You said to go get myself a few tacos from sombrero's. I asked you if you were sure and you said of course. I asked if you were hungry and you nodded your head no. So I walked over to Sombrero's and ordered two beef taco's and ate them. I thought about that nice man that had paid. I thought about the sacrifices you made. Although very dysfunctional, you loved me,
Love Winona