I Came Home From Teaching All Day to Find a Lock on My Own Pantry

someday.

I told him to call in six months. If he had begun to show that he was changing, we could try to build something new. With boundaries. With respect.

He kissed my forehead and left.

I closed the door behind him and leaned against the wood in my hallway, and then I let myself cry. Not for Ryan, not exactly, and not for Clare or even for the money.continue reading …