My Sister Texted the Family Chat: “Don’t Come to Mom’s Birthday. We’re Sick of Your Family.” So I…

into my lap, warm and heavy and real.

“Mom,” she asked, “why are you sad?”

I kissed the top of her head and realized my daughter didn’t need to see me tied to a phone, bleeding for people who didn’t care.

“I’m not sad,” I lied, then corrected myself. “I’m… tired.”

Mia frowned. “Then rest.”

So I did.

I typed one last message into the group chat:

You said you’re continue reading …