Distance and Misunderstanding: The narrator feels disconnected from her mother and struggles to understand her. She describes their communication as "broken" and filled with silences. There's a lack of emotional intimacy, and the narrator feels judged and misunderstood by her mother.
Unresolved Conflict: The story revolves around a past incident involving the narrator's mother and her grandmother. This incident is never explicitly revealed, but it seems to have caused a deep rift between the narrator and her mother. The narrator feels haunted by this unresolved conflict, which casts a shadow over their present relationship.
Resentment and Fear: The narrator carries resentment towards her mother for the perceived coldness and lack of support she received. She also harbors a fear of her mother, which is reflected in her desire to escape and her hesitation to confront her.
Love and Obligation: Despite the distance and conflict, the narrator still loves her mother. She feels a sense of obligation to stay close, even though it is painful. This tension between love and resentment creates a complex dynamic that drives the narrator's actions.
Unfulfilled Expectations: The narrator seems to have held high expectations for her mother, but these expectations have gone unmet. She feels disappointed and frustrated, leading to further tension and resentment.
The story leaves the exact nature of their relationship open to interpretation. The reader is left to infer the details of the past incident and to piece together the nuances of the narrator's feelings. Ultimately, "Leaving" paints a portrait of a mother-daughter relationship marked by emotional distance, unresolved conflict, and a struggle for connection.