Being a single mother of several children requires making sacrifices. In this story a mother sacrificed giving her eldest chil

To a single mother guilt is always an issue. Emily's mother always questioned in her mind if she had done the right things for Emily or if it was something she had done that caused Emily to turn out like she did. "Or I will become engulfed with all I did or did not do, with what should have been and what cannot be helped" (Olsen, pg.144).

d the things she needed to grow up normally. At an early age Emily was often left home alone. "Except when we left her alone nights, telling ourselves she was old enough." (Olsen, pg. 146) As young as she was she had to grow up faster even though her mind and body wasn't ready for that. "It wasn't just a little while. I didn't cry. Three times I called you...then I ran downstairs to open the door so you could

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Approximate Word count = 510
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)