A fantastic piece. I feel a great deal of emotion after reading it. Not an overwhelming confronting emotion, but a shielded one, much like I took on the persona of the mother in the story. A mix of determination, but also a guardedness at not necessarily wanting to hear of the possibility of unspoken pain. You revealed the nature of a universal culture. One that is on the cusp of having these frank conversations, but still a long way from being prepared for the reality that is weaved insidiously into every part of our society, of human interactions.
Too much to bare so we sweep it aside with a big gulp of coffee and the frenzied pursuit of a fabulous new frock. Everything's fine! That reminds me of a song.