My Mother Chose My Bully, So I Chose Death

My mother was a master at victim-blaming.

When I was little, a kid snatched my toy and shoved me to the ground, scraping my hands raw. I ran home in tears, looking for comfort.

She just sneered. "Why would they only steal from you? You’re just too selfish. You never learned to share."

In high school, the bullies beat me black and blue. When I dragged myself home covered in bruises, she slapped me across the face.

"Why are they only picking on you and no one else? Ever think that maybe you’re the problem?"

Later, she brought my main tormentor right into our home.