My Mother's Secret, My Existence

My Mom Hated Me, Until I Saved Her

My mom had just turned nineteen when a high school bully assaulted her, and she was forced to carry me to term.

That same year, my grandpa accepted a hefty settlement of nearly thirty thousand dollars from the bully, dropped the lawsuit, and effectively sealed off Mom’s only path to justice.

My first cry, ironically, was drowned out by the final bells of senior year, becoming the last straw that broke her spirit.

That night, she sat alone, wide awake, until dawn.