My husband brought his mistress into my hospital room hours after I gave birth. His mother sl.apped me so hard my newborn woke crying, then sneered, “Who will believe a paralyzed woman?”

My legs shook violently.

I lasted seven seconds.

Then twelve.

Then twenty.

Every second felt impossible.

Hazel was often nearby with Caroline.

One afternoon, I stood for almost a minute.

Caroline started crying.

“You’re doing it.”

“Stop crying.”

“You’re crying.”

“I’m allowed.”

“Then so am I.”

I laughed.

Maya rolled her eyes.

“You two are exhausting.”

Six weeks after Hazel’s birth, I took three steps.

Three.

I counted each one.

One.

Two.

Three.

Then my knees buckled.

Maya caught me.

I cried into her shoulder.