I wrote the below essay for the live variety show, “Show & Tell.” This month’s theme was “Undercover.” As performed March 2nd, 2024 at Scribble in Highland Park, CA.
Like many of you in this room, I was born a baby.
Not long after, I became an adult woman in a child’s body. That’s what happens when you experience trauma after trauma after trauma.
I am going to spare you some of the details of what happened to me as a kid, but just know that I felt alone, scared and like I wanted to die.
I quickly had to figure out a way to protect myself and get my needs met. One of these ways was by being quiet, a good girl who read and did well in school.
If I was good, maybe someone would love me. Maybe someone would care for me. Maybe, I would be safe.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to It Can Be Both to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.