I can trace it all back to that day at the Indiana State Fair when they let all my brothers and sisters feed but left me behind. I buried my face in the wood chips of that enclosure, trying not to think of how lonely I felt in that giant space as everyone’s eyes peered over me to get a look at my brothers and sisters. For years afterward, I grew to hate myself. I hated myself when they were all chosen to race and I wasn’t. I hated myself when they were all chosen to be shown at the Fairs and I wasn’t. And I hated myself when they all brought home awards and I didn’t.
But one day, the tall man met another tall man and handed over some money. Soon after, my brothers and sisters were all taken away to become bacon, and I was taken to the tall man’s home to be something called a “pet”. I don’t know what that means, but a little kid feeds me, walks me, and tells me he loves me.
I don’t mind being on my own anymore.
