My Father Stole My College Spot for His Foster Daughter

After seven straight days of running to the post office with nothing to show for it, my father pulled me into the kitchen and let out a sigh.

"Stop waiting for it. Your acceptance letter went to Eddie."

"She's got no mother, no father. If she gets to go to college, she won't be stuck in this village suffering her whole life. You're different. You're tough, you can stand hard work. You can go work the factory line and still make something of yourself."

I stood in front of the stove, and it was like someone had doused me with well water in the dead of winter.