Just came from Judith, very upset. She’s never even met my mother, how does she know she’s mentally ill? I think she’s overblowing the situation. Emotionally ill, absolutely. But there’s nothing wrong with my mother’s brain.

The gift box was small and square, and my face flushed as my boyfriend handed it to me. How perfect, that he would get me a ring for my twenty-seventh birthday; how excited he looked, handing it to me first thing that morning, as I propped myself up on my elbow in bed.