The Spare Parts Child
Language: en
On the last day of December, a woman led five-year-old me out of the foster home. She named me Hope. "Hope, your sister's name is Grace. Your birthday is on New Year's Day, symbolizing rebirth." "So, every birthday, you must make a wish. A wish means a new beginning, a thing full of hope." I nodded vigorously, teeth chattering from the cold. Back then, I didn't understand. Every time I made a wish, Mom would take something from me. At six, I wished to see fireworks; they took my bone marrow. At seven, I wished for a doll; they took a kidney. At eight, I wished for cake; they took a…