I took my bag and walked to the door.

“Being alone is not the worst thing that can happen to someone,” I said.

Outside, Laura helped me load the suitcase.

I glanced back at the house my mother had given me and felt a surge of sadness.

It was still mine, yet the people inside had made it feel foreign.

“We’ll figure out when you can return comfortably,” Laura said.

I nodded.