I woke to the dull early morning gray seeping through my blinds. I remained still for a moment. Yesterday's weight still hung on me like a wet blanket. My body ached from a long night, my limbs were heavy, and my mind clouded.
It was strange to be awake. I wasn't well rested but I had survived yesterday's blog post, the backlash, the virtual stoning.I survived and I was proud of that.
There was a deafening silence in the apartment. I turned my head and listened. My mother was still sleeping in the guestroom. Her breathing, soft and steady. I slowly sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my movements slow, measured. As if if I acted in a rush, my peace would be lost.
I dragged myself to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My face looked like it belonged to someone else—swo
