Can I tell you how much I want a hug, Mama? Or will it make you sad? I don’t want you to be sad, not even for me. Not for anyone. But, I guess it’s okay if I’m sad; after all, I’m a human, and all humans get sad. Right? I like college, Mama, I really do. I like it more than I like high school, just like you said I would, Mama. But I still get sad. I am sad.

Mama, I really want a hug. But I don’t want to make you sad, because when I hug you, I’ll start crying. I won’t cry because I am sad, Mama; I think I need to cry, actually. Remember how you told me to cry when I feel sad because it will make me feel better? It works, it really does. But I don’t want to cry, Mama. Say Salaam to Papa for me when he calls you from work, okay? He hardly calls me anymore. Papa said I’m all grown up now, Mama, but I don’t feel that way. I feel like a little kid, Mama. Like a little kid who doesn’t know what to do about being sad. I don’t even know why I’m sad, and I’m scared to tell Papa because he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t hug me like you do, Mama. Tell Papa I love him for me, too, please. It’s really hard to tell him myself.

I love you, Mama.