I joined a book club in July.
Not just any book club one at the local library specifically for women who'd experienced trauma. Recovery literature. Memoirs. Books about healing.
The first meeting was awkward. Twelve women sitting in a circle, looking at each other warily.
"I'm Isabella," I said when it was my turn to introduce myself. "I was trafficked when I was eighteen. Sold at an auction. Spent the next twenty years in organized crime before going to prison for three years. Now I run restaurants and a culinary training program for formerly incarcerated people."
The room was silent.
Then a woman across the circle said, "I'm Jennifer. I was in an abusive marriage for fifteen years. Finally got out two years ago. Still figuring out who I am without him."
Another woman: "I'm Keisha. Domestic violence survivor. Lost custody of my kids for a while because I couldn't keep them safe from their father. Getting them back was the hardest thing I've ever done."
