Name Not Taken

by Madeleine Henry

I loved her when I understood her, and I kept loving her when I didn’t.

I thought about changing into something nicer, but then I realized that was the conceit of therapy: to change me into someone nicer.

Either way, when one of your parents needs more help than you do, something inside changes.

Some tragedies are so loud they mute everything around them. Joy feels like a betrayal to whoever’s in pain.

“Everything is a battle of perspective. There’s always a winner, and when you lose—when you decisively lose—then your view becomes the crazy one. So when people call you ‘insane,’ they’re letting you know who won.”

“Moms really do shape how their sons view people. Most, I assume, use the power unconsciously. But my mom knew she had them, and she turned them against me.”

Because maybe I’m ready to meet my own evil. Then, even if the world scares me, at least I won’t scare myself.

You can’t be tormented by someone unless you’re a little desperate for them to love you.”