Grandma Sherry!” Tommy’s voice cut through the adult chatter like sunshine. He ran toward me, his little arms outstretched, and for a moment, the world felt right again.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” I whispered, hugging him close. But before I could give him his gift, Zariah’s hand was on his shoulder, her grip firm.

“Tommy, remember what we talked about?” she said, her voice sweet but laced with steel. “Grandma needs to wash her hands first. Why don’t you go play with your cousins?” The message was clear: I was unclean. I was a contamination in her perfect world.