came from the living room Tam winced Now she’d be late She sighed and opened the bedroom door Ma sat at her sewing machine in the cramped living room with its tiny breakfast nook off to the side She took in sewing for people to make extra money after her shift at
the lighting factory Tam’s youngest brother Matthew sat on the floor his finger in his mouth Melvin was reading something at the table as usual and Isaiah and Adam were whacking each other with long cardboard tubes Tam sometimes thought four
younger brothers was just a few too many At least Melvin was old enough to help now He could do things with Ma now like go shopping and translate for her Ma’s English wasn’t great so Tam usually did the talking for her when they were out Tam swept Matthew into her
arms and covered his fat cheeks with kisses She quickly wiped him off and strapped on a new diaper Ma I’m going to cheer practice She waved and ran out before Matthew could start crying He always hated to see her go Tam walk-jogged toward the school The first practice of the year
