4

A while after we heard what the ghouls said on the news, Mom was able to focus on painting for a while. She never neglected her hobbies or passions. Neither did I. I was with her and I was playing guitar. We didn’t always do these things together, but sometimes yes. Sometimes it was fun. When I took a break from playing the guitar, we would talk and Mom would tell me what she thought of my performance. Mom usually told me I did great. I told her a lot of things she didn’t know about music. I would look at how much Mom had painted and give her an honest opinion about how talented she was.

    Mom barely knew anything about music, but she was talented when it came to painting.

    I was concerned about something so I asked,

    “Do you really think I’m getting better at martial arts?”

    “Is that important?”

    “Yes, because I want to be the best at one thing.”

    “Why?”

    “It’s not arrogance.”

    “I know.”

    “You’re good at a lot of things,” I said. “In fact, everyone I know has at least one thing where they excel. I feel like I don’t measure up.”

    “That’s not true. And you have talents.”

    “Mom, I barely have any talents,” I contradicted. “And most of what I can do, other people can do better.”

    “You are great. And this isn’t blind faith. I’ve seen you at your rehearsals and I’ve taught you martial arts, so I know how good you are.”

    “But I feel like everyone else can do a lot more than me. So, if I could have just one thing where I’m the best, I could feel like I actually have a talent.”

    “You have more than one talent.”

    “I don’t feel like it’s enough.”

    “You have nothing to worry about,” Mom assured me.I wanted to believe Mom, but I needed proof, so I would continue practicing martial arts and music. And even after I got proof, I still would.

    “Lily, you are just as good as everyone else.”

    “There are people I know who know a lot about a lot of topics, not just the ghouls.”

    “What are you talking about?”

    “I can’t remember information so well, so I feel empty and stupid by comparison.”

    “That’s not true.”