And finally, I understood.
I had never been difficult to love.
I had simply been surrounded by people who benefited when I believed love had to be purchased through sacrifice.
Six months later, the house sold.
I used part of the money to buy a small home near the mountains.
The blue birthday dress hangs in my closet there.
I wore it again on my twenty-sixth birthday.
No stolen flowers.
No canceled plans.
No emergencies.
Mr. Hale came.
Two coworkers joined us.
A neighbor brought wine.
And in the middle
