The Stand-In

by Lily Chu

The line returns. “There are enough people in the world ready to put you down. Do you need to join them?”

In movies and books, women seem to have a “you go, girl” squad-posse of personal cheerleaders but that’s not how my life turned out.

I didn’t know it was possible for me to feel more regret over not asking Mom more about her life, but I guess, like all children, I thought that her life only began after my arrival.

It’s not a bad thing to want to keep peace in your life and care for the people in it. That a bad person can manipulate it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. To be kind and generous is a gift.”