Real Talk by quiet effort

I thought my mom never broke. That she just did...

I thought my mom never broke. That she just didn’t feel things the way I did. But then I realized — she just carried it differently. When everything went wrong...

I thought my mom never broke. That she just did...

I thought my mom never broke. That she just didn’t feel things the way I did. But then I realized — she just carried it differently. When everything went wrong...

I told myself I was the only one falling apart....

I told myself I was the only one falling apart. That he just sat there, distant, while I broke down. But looking back, he was the one holding everything steady....

I told myself I was the only one falling apart....

I told myself I was the only one falling apart. That he just sat there, distant, while I broke down. But looking back, he was the one holding everything steady....

I used to tease him for being dramatic. Like wh...

I used to tease him for being dramatic. Like when he insists on carrying in every single grocery bag at once. Arms stretched out, fingers turning red, but he’ll pile...

I used to tease him for being dramatic. Like wh...

I used to tease him for being dramatic. Like when he insists on carrying in every single grocery bag at once. Arms stretched out, fingers turning red, but he’ll pile...

I used to joke that he only noticed the TV and ...

I used to joke that he only noticed the TV and nothing else. But then there was the spider. The one in the bathroom I refused to go near. He...

I used to joke that he only noticed the TV and ...

I used to joke that he only noticed the TV and nothing else. But then there was the spider. The one in the bathroom I refused to go near. He...

I used to roll my eyes and think he barely lift...

I used to roll my eyes and think he barely lifted a finger. But when I stopped to actually notice, I realized how many little things he’d been doing all...

I used to roll my eyes and think he barely lift...

I used to roll my eyes and think he barely lifted a finger. But when I stopped to actually notice, I realized how many little things he’d been doing all...

I used to think she just nagged about money. Al...

I used to think she just nagged about money. Always reminding me of bills, always stressed about numbers on a screen. I told myself she made it a bigger deal...

I used to think she just nagged about money. Al...

I used to think she just nagged about money. Always reminding me of bills, always stressed about numbers on a screen. I told myself she made it a bigger deal...