The Invisible Daughter's Rise: Goodbye, Toxic Family

Every time our school had an Open House, Dad would go to Mason’s classroom, and Mom would go to Tommy’s.

I once asked Mom, "Who is going to my classroom?"

Mom didn't even look up from washing Tommy’s face.

"You’re a big girl now, Summer. You're mature. Can't you just sit in your seat and listen to the teacher by yourself?"

I thought she was right. I was the easiest, most trouble-free kid in the house.

So, every Open House, I sat in my seat and pretended my mother was sitting in the empty chair next to me.