My Mother Locked the Gate on Me

liking that she flinched.

I unzipped the front pocket of my duffel, the one I’d dragged into the hospital without thinking, and pulled out the creased white envelope.

RETURN TO SENDER.

Maribel took it with both hands.

Her name was on the front.

Maribel Vale.

The card had been for her birthday in March.

She turned it over.

“The house address is right.”

“I know.continue reading …