- 16.
I moved out of Ashley’s and bought a place
with my money.
I painted the walls pink, bought dolls, and
bright stuff.
No one could criticize me again.
I didn’t go home, even for New Year’s.
My mom stopped trying to make me date
Mark.
But she said, “Maybe we would be closer if I
hadn’t interfered.”
Sometimes she asked me to visit.
୮
She was old.
But I couldn’t forgive her for the hurt she
caused me.
Later, I met someone great.
A friend asked why I was dating someone
worse.
“Mark was the best choice.”
I blocked them.
My boyfriend was not as perfect as Mark.
But he encouraged me to wear what I wanted,
and loved my stories.
He would tell me, “You are the best.”
I finally found love in my 29 years.
