Clara

At the very back of the crowd, I stood, watching Teresa speak, and for the first time in twelve years, I felt ashamed of myelf.

This wasn’t guilt or regret. It was shame. Pure shame. It crawled beneath my skin and stayed there like rot.

Around me, the crowd erupted into shouts of joy as Teresa announced her pregnancy, but I was barely there. I barely notice it.

All I could hear was her voice, reaffirming who she has always been.

“I’ll stand beside every innocent ...