AS I LEFT MY IN-LAWS’ HOUSE WITH NOTHING, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HANDED ME A TRASH BAG AND SAID, “THROW THIS OUT ON YOUR WAY.” BUT WHEN I OPENED IT AT THE GATE… MY HANDS BEGAN TO TREMBLE

him with one word.

“Goodbye.”

Jason stood there, silent, watching her as she turned away. It was a final moment, one where she realized just how far she had come.

She had left everything behind. And for the first time in a long while, she was finally free.