My father stumbled back, surprised by my strength.
“What did you say to me?” he sputtered.
I stepped back, creating space. I looked him straight in the eye. The cowering teenager he remembered was dead and buried. Standing in her place was the law.
“I am the person you threw away,” I said. “I am the trash you discarded. But you forgot one thing about trash, Father. If you leave it alone long enough, under enough pressure, it changes.”
I reached for the buttons of my trench coat.
“What are you doing?” my mother asked, her voice wavering. “Are you stripping? Have you no shame?”
I undid the belt and let the coat fall open.
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