On thanksgiving, my uncle blocked the door and said, “you’re not family anymore — leave,” i saw my mom laughing behind him, handing my seat to my sister’s boyfriend; i just nodded, got back in my car… and sent the message i’d been saving for months; five minutes later, half the table stood up — and walked out.

I didn’t lose a family.

I shed one.

And in the quiet that followed, I finally heard my own voice again.

Clear.

Unapologetic.

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