<Redacted> came from your grandfather on your father’s side, who got it from his father, who got it from his father, who got it from an English man who had no business buying slaves

The doctors were Roses. The nurses were Roses. My best friend was Rose. She took me to the hospital where there were Roses everywhere. I was being surrounded by Roses.

<Redacted> came from your grandfather on your mother’s side, who got it from his father, who got it from his father, who got it from a Spanish man who had no business being in Manila

Theresa came from a Saint, came from your aunt, my youngest sister, came from the feminine version of your father, came from the wishes I had for you, came from the dreams I had for you