Colleen Whitmore — The Suitcase Dennis Never Thought to Open

“For laughing at Dennis’s jokes about you.

It made it easier for everyone to ignore you.”

The apology did not restore the career I’d abandoned or erase the years I’d spent swallowing my opinions.

Still, I appreciated that he had named something real.

On the way back to the hotel, Lena asked how I felt.

“Tired,” I said.

“Relieved?”

“Not yet.”