She Sent Her Mother One Cent Until Police Found Her Name

my own terms, without needing anyone to witness it in order for it to be true.

Then I remember the sound of the new deadbolt sliding into place.

Clean. Final. Mine.

Some mornings, before I leave for work, I stand in front of the diploma for a moment. Not long. Just long enough to read my own name. Just long enough to remember that she did it anyway. Not continue reading …