Who Were You Before the World Told You Who You Should Be?

The two of them sat alone as I walked into the room. Abruptly, he looked up at me, and spoke with what I interpreted as disdain and asked “why are you always smiling?!” I didn’t have an answer. I was caught off guard. Obviously my smile was bothersome. Obviously I shouldn’t be happy without cause. Obviously I should immediately stop smiling because it doesn’t seem welcome here.

It’s hard to believe it’s that simple. It’s hard to believe that a question or tone or thoughtless words can plant...