I Gave Away the Birthday Chocolates, Then the Screaming Started

freezing air hit his face. “I am free,” he whispered.

“Yeah,” I said. “We both are.”

The years after were not a fairy tale.

Brandon had nightmares. Sometimes he woke up sick, shaking, vomiting because he dreamed the chocolates were back and he could not stop them. We went to therapy. He learned what safety felt like in his body. I learned how much of continue reading …