THE RUMPUS: "The Throwaways." An essay by Melissa Chadburn about growing up poor & politics & taxes. (It's beautiful.)

“I was born nice as hell. I was born so damn sweet. I could never get mad. I could never get in trouble. Good good good. I curtsied. I studied hard. I said my prayers. I finished my food. If I went to your mom’s house I’d make her love me. I was born with an invisible locket around my neck. Only half of a heart. The right half. The half that said, “BE.” Everyone else had the “MINE.””