I was bullied all through school—at my 10-year reunion, no one recognized me, and I used that moment to reveal exactly who I had become.

space, my darling.”

I laughed, even though my eyes burned.

I left the cardigan on the bed.

Then I came back, folded it, and put it in my bag.

Ten years of fear didn’t vanish because of one red dress.

The reunion was at a downtown hotel with bright lights, blue and silver balloons, and a banner that said, “WELCOME BACK, CLASS OF 2016!”