*trigger warning* When I was about 9 years old, my older brother who was 14 at the time, had called me into his his room he laid me on his bed. Then asked me to close my eyes and keep them shut no matter what. I remember feeling soft skin rubbing against my face. I immediately knew something wasn't right and remember him telling me keep my eyes shut and once it was over, I got up and left. I have no memory of what happened afterwards or what my reaction was. As I got older I finally understood what that soft skin was and I never had the courage to confront him. I love my brother and we have a great relationship, it's just something I decided to take to my grave. I am 28 now and have forgiven him but this is the shit that will forever haunt my memories.

I been thinking real hard about even relaying these awful things about the person that I have admired the most, the person I have respected and revered my whole life but that now, has completely backstabbed me in the worst way possible. A few years ago, a scandal broke in my political family involving my mother. As you can imagine, it nearly broke my marriage and tore my husband’s family apart. My sister in law found my father in law and my mom talking on social media. The worst part of it, when I was confronted, I was accused of knowing about the whole affair and made it looked like I was an accomplice to the whole ordeal. When I had absolutely no clue to such a disgusting mess. I don’t know what neither of them were trying to accomplish and now, I’m the black sheep of the family. No one talks to me. While my father in law is still loved and honored. My mother the home wrecker and I pay the sins of her ordeals. She never once has said I’m sorry. Never! In her head, I’m better off without that side of the family. But it’s not about that; why did she do this to me? Why my father in law? Among so many men? Why him! I guess I’m just looking for an explanation and I know I will never get it from her. Because she just cannot accept she did anything wrong. I wish I could get her version because as of now, I only know everyone else’s but her’s. I always thought I didn’t need to hear her side because it’s not my place to question her, but I have kids who now have to suffer for her sins as well. I don’t think it’s fair to them either. I guess the damage is done as well and the past is the past. I won’t get nothing accomplished but I just want an acknowledgment from her part that she messed up.

• August 12, 2023