“Sometimes I think I’m doomed to live an endless cycle of people pleasing. Ava pointed out to me recently that’s what I am—a people pleaser—and she’s right. My mom abandoning my dad and I, then him leaving me in his own way has done more damage on my psyche than I like to acknowledge. I know it’s not his fault, but sometimes it still feels that way.” I give a mirthless laugh. “Part of why I find it hard to say no to Ava is for that reason. The few people I have in my life and care about, I struggle to go against them because I worry they’ll leave me. Stupid, I know.”
