The Day I Finally Put Myself First

my face burning, waiting for my parents to step in.

They did not.

Instead, they rushed to Kara, soothing her, excusing her behavior, telling me not to cause trouble. In that moment, a truth I had avoided for years settled heavily in my chest. They were never going to see me. Not really.

And so, I stopped trying.

I did not argue. I did not explain. I stepped continue reading …