My Mother Went on Vacation and Left Me Alone… When She Came Back, I Was Gone

I was 16 when my mother left me at the airport
like I was a forgotten handbag.

“Figure it out… you know how,” she said, shrugging.

And she left.
On vacation.
With her new husband
and his “perfect” children.

I stood there holding my ticket
with my heart in pieces.

I didn’t cry.
Not in front of them.

I sat down.
…