At My Brother’s Housewarming, I Did The Work—But Wasn’t Invited To Brunch

the way it does in my city—one day the air still carries winter’s bite, the next it smells of damp earth and cut grass, like the world is attempting to start over whether you’re ready or not.

I maintained my life in deliberate simplicity. Work, gym, groceries, sleep. I stopped checking my phone reflexively. I stopped wondering what narratives my mother continue reading …