My Cousin Read the Headline Out Loud at Thanksgiving

fourteen telling our cousins I only got A’s because teachers liked neat handwriting, while I sat there furious and silent with cranberry sauce sliding into my peas.

It sounds small.

It wasn’t.

Families practice on you early. They try out a version of you and keep it if nobody objects.

Mine had decided I was competent but secondary.

Useful. Quiet. Safe.

The continue reading …