ifs
I've always wondered what if would be like if my brother hadn't been born. I never really yearned for a sibling when I was little—i have plenty of cousins, young and old, from both sides of the family to keep me company. The four girl cousins that are within a few years of my age were my best friends. We hung out every summer at my grandparents' house. I didn't need my own siblings, I have plenty already, and none of them would ever steal my parents' love and attention from me. Despite having my mind made up, that one afternoon in 2009, my father somehow convinced me that it would be super cool to have a little baby of my own. I was hesitant at first, but he was persuasive. I don't remember why, but I was thrilled at the suggestion and went to beg my mom to make me a baby. I didn't know then that these words will be used against me for years to come, and upon retrospection, I probably didn't have a choice anyway. He just tricked me into thinking I had a...