It was Tuesday and Mom walked in the door later than usual. She had a therapy appointment after work.

"I'm home Olive!" She called out as she closed the door.

I immediately came out of my room. I could tell that she was crying after therapy the last time she went, so it was then that I decided I would always go out and greet her. I needed to make sure she was okay. I was worried about her, even though this was a step in the right direction, I always needed to look out for my mom.

"Hi Mom." I scanned her face. She looked ok. No running makeup. No pink cheeks. No puffy eyes. No sniffles. But, she could have easily hidden those things.

She knew exactly what I was doing. "I'm fine, honey." She reassured.

"You sure? How was it?" I hugged her tightly. I needed it, and I think she did too.

Even though she had come home upset before, I was glad she was doing this. She needed it. This was only her third appointment-two last week because the first one was really just a meeting, and then what will be her regular Tuesday's today- but she already said it was helping her a little bit.

"It was good. I'm okay, I promise you." She reassured, running her hand from the top of my head down my back. I think she knew how worried I was about her. Especially after the conversation we had when she said she needed therapy.

She didn't want me to worry, though. And that just made me worry more. She thought it was too much for me to handle, and that meant it had to be bad. I wasn't dumb.

"Okay..." I pulled away from her embrace.

She flashed me a smile, then turned to head into the kitchen.

I watched her for a moment, and then sighed. "Mom?"

"Yeah?" She glanced over her shoulder.

"Can we talk?"

She paused and fully turned to face me, tilting her head. "Of course. Should we sit down?"

I nodded a little, going over and sitting on the couch. She followed, sitting and facing me. Concern was spread across her face. I knew I had 100% of her attention in that moment.

"I wanted to talk about this weekend." I whispered.

"Oh? What about this weekend?"

Clearly it wasn't as big of a deal for Mom as it was for me.

I just looked at her.

She got it. A nod. "Yeah..." She said softly.

"I kind of just... let it go for the sake of the weekend." I sighed. "But it hurt me. That you didn't trust me or- even think to tell me something so important." I avoided eye contact. I needed to tell her how I felt-without worrying about how it upset her.

"Olive..." She just sounded sad. "It is not at all about trust. I swear."

"Then what is it, Mom?" I fidgeted with my fingers.

"I don't know, it just didn't cross my mind as important. You know now." Mom said. She didn't want me to be upset with her.

I stayed quiet for a moment. She was right. But, it still bothered me. She told Callie before me. I wouldn't have even known now if it wasn't for Callie. I guess I just figured that if Callie knew that, how much more was Mom hiding from me? That's really what bothered me. I wanted Mom to tell me everything. But, she's my mom. She is going to shelter me. Stupid motherly instincts.

"What about Dad?" I asked suddenly. Not in a rude way, but in a confused way. If she was a lesbian, how did she spend so many years with a man? I just didn't understand.

"What about him?" Mom asked.

I looked up at her. "He's... well, he's a guy."

Mom bit her cheek. "I know."

"You were married to him."

"I was." Mom nodded.

I just looked at her, waiting for more than a two word reply.

"I was married to him before I knew I was gay," Mom said with a shrug.

I stayed quiet.

"I didn't really have a chance to figure out who I was. With your dad... well, he was my daughters father. I didn't have the time to think about..." Mom's voice trailed off. "None of it is your fault, don't be upset. Please." She knew she had to say that. Because she knew I did feel bad.

I felt like Mom felt forced to be with a man who was horrible to her- simply because she had a kid with him.

"I'm sorry."

"Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for." Mom said quickly, pulling me into a hug.

"No... I'm sorry that you- you didn't get time to figure out... who you were. It's not fair. I know it- you say it wasn't my fault but-"

"It wasn't your fault." Mom stopped me.

"It sucks, though." I said sadly.

"But, I've figured it out now. That's all that matters, huh?" Mom pulled my hair to one side of my head.

"I guess so, yeah." I nodded.

She smiled, kissing my forehead. "I love you Olive."

"I love you too, Mom." I was still a little upset that she hadn't told me immediately. But, I got it. I guess.

It bothered me most that- in my interpretation, at least- she felt trapped. Trapped in a relationship with my dad. Because... well, he was my dad. Is my dad, I guess. Never felt like it.

In my head, there was never a reason she should have stayed. But, I could see how she felt obligated. Who wouldn't want to try and make it work with their child's other parent?

It just stunk that it ended so badly for Mom.

But, she is happy now. She loves Callie, and that is all that matters. Now she's... good.