When I was three, my mother and grandmother went on a month-long trip together, their only solo adventure. They claimed to have visited Spain, but there were no photos or tales to confirm it. Meanwhile, my dad’s parents looked after me.
I never saw a passport stamp, and it dawned on me later that she may not have even owned a passport. When I mentioned the trip to Spain, my mom went silent, hoping I had forgotten. It wasn’t until years later that I understood the timing, realizing the trip coincided with the legalization of abortion in our area. With our limited finances and cramped living space, it’s likely my mom and grandmother made a difficult decision regarding a potential second child. And throughout it all, my dad remained oblivious to the truth.
