Once, silence had meant waiting for Pierce to notice that he had hurt me.
Now it meant there was no suitcase being packed while I pleaded for basic loyalty.
No cruel laughter.
No one telling me that pain became unreasonable merely because it inconvenienced them.
My daughter opened her eyes and wrapped her hand around my finger.
Pierce and Marlene had posted “Family First” while abandoning us.
In the end, I did put family first.
I protected the child who could not protect herself.
And I finally included myself in the family worth saving.
