An Only Child in New York City

I’m supposed to be intolerable of people, but I’m not

Illustrations by author: a guardhouse in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

I grew up as an only child, which I think is supposed to make me intolerant of people.

When I was nine, though, I saw Annie and envied the orphans who all lived together in the Municipal Girls Orphanage. Empty bellies instead of full? Mop gymnastics? So worth it.