I Said “Okay” And Packed Before They Knew What I’d Sent

a bakery.

Late-night cleaning jobs.

Weekend tutoring sessions.

Every dollar I earned disappeared into a small lockbox hidden beneath my bed.

That acceptance letter wasn’t simply an opportunity.

It was my escape.

Away from the house where every achievement of mine was compared to Tyler’s excuses.

Away from hearing my father’s favorite sentence.

“Why can’t you continue reading …