He looked up, his eyes wide with relief and fear. “She says the shadows are coming, and they’ll take me away if I’m not quiet,” he confessed in a voice barely above a whisper. My heart broke further, realizing the extent of his fear.

I hugged him tightly, assuring him that there were no shadows and that he was safe with me. My mind was racing, trying to process the situation. I couldn’t let this go on. I knew I had to confront my mother, but more importantly, I needed to understand why this was happening.

Later that evening, after settling my son with a movie and his favorite blanket, I sat down with my mother. Her usually warm and caring demeanor was now clouded with a strange detachment. I gently broached the subject, trying to make sense of her actions.