"You smell musty"

My mom got heavily involved in drugs when I was growing up, and I often had to fend for myself.

When I was in 9th grade, she took off and left for 3 weeks while I was at school one day. I was home alone for that time. The power and my cell phone got shut off during that time. I didn't tell anyone, I just kept going to school. I thought I was doing okay on my own until one of my friends told me I smelled musty. I wore wet clothes to school because I couldn't dry them.

It was the first time that I realized that it was obvious I wasn't put together. The guidance counselor pulled me into the office and asked me where my parents were and why I was losing weight. I couldn't tell anyone that I ran out of food and my mom left me no money.

I am grown now with a family of my own, but I still think back to that day. I know my son will never have to endure those feelings, but I can't help but feel terrified that there's a chance.