They Forgot to Invite Me to Christmas—So I Bought a Mountain. When They Came to Take It, the Deputy Was Already Waiting.

of plans, Faith. We’re flying down to Palm Beach to spend the holiday with your aunt. The flights are too expensive to add another ticket this late in the game. You understand, don’t you?”

I spent that Christmas in a deserted dormitory eating instant ramen and watching classic movies on my laptop, telling myself I was fine, I was independent, I didn’t continue reading …