Chapter 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. 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.