I Won a Five-Star Island Vacation

for this.

In every picture, I was either cropped out or standing behind someone, holding a bag.

On the fifth morning, I woke before everyone else and took Leo down to the beach.

The sun had barely risen. The sand was cool. The ocean was calm, rolling in with soft silver edges.

Leo held my hand.

“Mommy?”

“Yes?”

“Do Grandpa Frank and Aunt Sophie hate me?”

I continue reading …