My Mother Locked the Gate on Me

stomach, stood in the rain outside the house where my height was still marked in pencil inside the pantry door.

But there were guests.

I put the birthday card back into Maribel’s hands.

“Open it.”

Her fingers shook as she tore the envelope.

Inside was a stupid card with a cartoon cat wearing sunglasses.

I had bought it at a PX because the choices were that continue reading …