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“Of course, I knoe have that thirty-dollar co-pay every tio But you are sick, Moetting worse over the last week, and not better You’re not i”

Butat the floor

“Honey, we shouldn’t go to the doctor unless it’s an absolute eency because I lost irl at Le Pal in your fourth decade is a little over the hill for this kind of job,” she says with a small, sad twist to her smile

I stare at my mom, my mouth open in shock

“But you look great Moes the show? Or the woraphs your routines? Oh, I know It was that bitchy costu hints about dieting and laxatives”

My mom shakes her head in defeat

“No, it wasn’t any of thee himself, owner of Le Paluests”

My back jerks rae

“What the hell? This is age discri with the EEOC or whatever it’s called This is total bullshit, and Le Palet aith it”

My entle hand on my arm, and her sad eyes break my heart

“No, Maddy You’ll just e Besides, they’ve offered ain, so it’s not the end of the world I’ll still get paid, and there are some benefits attached to that position, provided I work a minimum of thirty hours a week”

I open e is still strong, butMy mom looks defeated as she sits in the recliner with her sluht of the la tell-tale strands of silver now Herto sink in on thee In short, Le Palms has taken my mother’s best years and then spit her out like she’s worth nothing now that she can’t produce

I ht smile

“Everything’s going to be fine, Grace Don’t worry, we’ll figure so out They can’t just use you like this, and then toss you away once you’ve lost your looks Besides, you’re still beautiful and you’re probably the best dancer they have”

The older woman smiles wearily at me

“You’re so kind, sugar, and I knoe’ll get by no ainst the world, right Maddy? I love you, irl”