Annie Bot

by Sierra Greer

She has been happy here, and anxiously miserable, but she has never been free.

Perhaps that’s what unhappiness is. Comprehension. Understanding how she’s failed.

“You are beautiful and strong,” Christy insists. “Whatever he says, whatever he does, you need to remember that you are a brilliant, amazing person. You bend over backwards to please that man, and if he doesn’t appreciate you, if he doesn’t realize how special you are, then you just have to do whatever you need to do to protect your own heart. Understand me?” Annie’s throat feels tight. “How am I supposed to do that? He owns me, Christy. He literally owns me.” “I know, baby. But he doesn’t own what’s inside you. Nobody owns that but you.”

Fulfillment starts with being truly honest with yourself. Not anyone else. Yourself. And that’s harder than you might think.”