My Mother's Taxes, the Aftermath of Divorce, and Other Things

My mother called the other day, worried about her taxes. She didn't think she could do that Turbo thing and the H&R people were expensive last year. Would I consider doing them? She'd pay me.

I said okay, then asked what else was going on in her life.

Her car broke down.

That's too bad, I said. I do hate it when that happens.

No, she said, it was good.

Good? I asked.

Yes, she said proudly, I handled it really well. Five years ago, after the divorce, I wouldn't have been able to do it. I would have fallen apart. But this time I said to myself, You can do this. You are capable of handling this. It's not the end of the world.

Great, I said. That's the attitude. Where'd you break down?

In the church parking lot.