My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”
That evening, in my apartment above the bakery, I fed Buster, watered the small basil plant I had bought for myself, and sat by the window as the streetlights came on.
Nobody called my name from downstairs.
Nobody told me my role.
Nobody needed me to stay inside a house built on secrets.
And when my phone rang again, I let it go to continue reading …
