I’m a girl. That’s not going to change.” “You don’t know that. We might find—” “It won’t change because I don’t want it to.” Mom steps back a little. “I thought you understood that.” “Why would you think that?” she asks. “Because you bought me those things. Because…” My throat clenches up and my eyes prickle with tears. Because we had such a nice day out together. Because I felt closer to you that weekend than I ever have before. Because I thought you loved me, and could see I was happy now. I have all the things I need to say, but none of the strength to say them.
