The Girl Who Never Asked for Anything

The year my parents divorced, they each gave me a key.

Dad said, ""There'll always be a room for you at Dad's new place.""

Mom said, ""Wherever Mom is, that's your home.""

I believed them.

For the next decade or so, I rotated between two houses.

Mom said my stepfather was a light sleeper, so I shouldn't shower after eleven at night.

Dad said my six-year-old sister didn't like strangers, so I shouldn't leave my room unless I had to.

I did everything they asked.

I thought that as long as I was good enough, there would always be a door left open for me.