Hillbilly Elegy

Lindsay was almost eighteen, but as my
sister confronted my mother, I began to
see my sister as the real adult. And our
routine at home only enhanced her
stature.
Mom’s rehab proceeded apace, and
her condition apparently improved with
time. Sundays were designated as
unstructured family time: We couldn’t
take Mom off-site, but we were able to
eat and watch TV and talk as normal.
Sundays were usually happy, though
Mom did angrily chide us during one
visit because our relationship with
Mamaw had grown too close. “I’m your
mother, not her,” she told us. I realized
that Mom had begun to regret the seeds