9
The moment the plane landed, I went straight
to a bakery.
Strawberry cake.
Sweet, rich, delicious.
Better than any strawberry cake I’d ever
tasted.
Because I bought it myself.
It tasted like freedom.
Then, to the LEGO store.
I used my scholarship money to buy the latest
<
Millennium Falcon set.
My roommates were stunned when I lugged it
into the dorm.
“This,” I told them, “is my childhood joy.”
“This is how I heal.
وو
The cake, the LEGOS… they weren’t late.
They filled me with a profound sense of
satisfaction.
I had everything I wanted, earned by myself.
Freedom.
The freedom I craved was finally mine.
No more Sarah’s hand–me–downs.
No more ramen noodles for every meal.
No more fear of losing everything I cared.
about.
