That was his way.
I took the bird. I didn’t say thank you. But I didn’t slam the door again. my stepdaddy trained me well
And I realized: my stepdaddy trained me well. Not to obey. Not to be tough. But to be capable. To be present. To be the person who doesn't run when things get hard. That was his way
My mom got better. Remission. Marcus held her in the driveway when we got the news, and I saw his shoulders shake for the first time. my stepdaddy trained me well
"Your stroke is uneven. Fix it."