But the length was never the point; a small thing can carry immense weight, my own wedding ring taught me that, coming off my finger light as nothing and landing on that watch heavy as a whole life ending.

I do not regret the kidney.

I do not regret the leaving.

I do not regret the name.

If you take one thing from a dying schoolteacher, take this: do not wait for a curtain and a cruelty to make you real.

You are real now.