Today was my first time being really alone

I was about 4, and I was with my brother in school. I was the only one that didn't have a parent watch them perform this stupid play they made us do.<br><br>Before the play, we had to line up and of course I was the only kid with no one holding their hand. Why I was there, I have no clue. Maybe my parents were the only ones too busy to be there, or maybe they were the only ones that didn't really care, I don't know. I was only 4, what did I know?<br><br>They called my name and I walked up and I stood there and performed, I did my job. There was this little kid next to me, he was crying because he was so scared, so I held his hand to help him feel better.<br><br>After it was all done with, we had to stand in front of all the parents and stand there and be proud of ourselves for doing a good job, for the applause. I stood there all alone. Every kid standing there was being held by their mom or dad. I was the only one not being held by anyone. They all had people to be with, while I was all alone.<br><br>I didn't know why I was alone. Was I broken? What was wrong with me? I was just a kid, I didn't understand. I just knew I was alone, and I hated it.<br><br>When I came home and told my mom, "Mom, I'm the only kid that didn't have a parent there. Why didn't you or dad come watch me?"<br><br>She just looked at me and said, "I was busy, that's why I didn't come."<br><br>I asked her, "But why didn't you or dad have time for me?"<br><br>She looked at me and said, "Look I have more important things to do than waste my time watching you do a play."<br><br>I looked at her I said, "But all the other kids had their parents there for them. Why didn't you or dad have time for me? Am I broken? Am I not good enough?"<br><br>She looked at me and said, "I don't have time for this. I have more important things to do."<br><br>She walked away, and I felt a pain in my chest. I knew nothing about the world, but I knew it was a harsh place and I was all alone. I think that day was the first time I got the idea that I was alone because I wasn't good enough.