“Why!” she exclaims. “What are you protecting me from, Thatcher? Just tell me!” One last push and the dam inside of me falls. It shatters, exploding into small pieces and leaving no chance for rebuilding. “Me!” I yell, the sound echoing in my chest. I barely recognize my own voice. I grab the sides of her head, caging her between my palms as my fingers tangle into the hair at the back of her neck. “Me, you stubborn fucking girl. I’m protecting you from me.”
