Zoe considered her answer for a while.

Zoe

I guess ... I wouldn't.

Mother

What kind of smart-aleck answer is that?

Zoe

Your question didn't make sense. I didn't do anything, Mom! Why would I want to punish myself if I didn't do anything to deserve it?

Her mother started walking. She marched up the stairs towards Zoe's room. Zoe followed her, keeping her distance and wondering if she should even bother maintaining her innocence at this point.

Mother

I'm not sure what is worse, Zoe—the thought of you drinking alcohol, or the thought of you lying through your teeth about it. I didn't raise my daughter to be a deceitful little drunk.

Zoe

But Mom—

Her mother ignored her. She went straight to Zoe's desk and began unhooking her computer. The woman had no idea what she was doing and it was almost painful for Zoe to watch. With a stray elbow, her mother knocked over a stack of papers onto the floor. She didn't seem to notice. Finally, she managed to unplug the monitor and lift it off of the desk, nearly falling backwards over a pile of Zoe's dirty clothes. It was not a large monitor, but her mother was so frail that she had to limp to carry it out of the room.

Zoe

I need that for homework.

Mother

You can write it longhand.

Her mother wasn't stopping, so Zoe had to trail after her down the hall towards her parents' bedroom.

Zoe

You don't understand. I need the internet, and something to type on.

Mother

You can stay after school and use the computer room there.

There was no use telling her mother that the computer room wasn't open after school.

Her mother heaved the monitor onto her immaculately-made king-sized bed. It bounced and flipped over on its side.

Mother

Your father will be in later to take the rest of your computer. Meanwhile, you can forget about going out, for a year. And starting next week, you're going to go to the YMCA after school for a special program.

Zoe couldn't help but smirk.

Mother

I'm sorry, Zoe, but do you find something funny about all this? Please tell me.