“You’ll be okay,” he promises, breathing nearly as fast as me. “It’s going to pass. Are you in pain?” I’m far past lying. I look him in the eye and admit, “No, but I’m afraid that if you don’t…touch me right now, I’m going to start crying. And if that doesn’t work, I’m going to beg. And if that doesn’t work, I’m going to—to break into a million pieces and beg you some more, and I’ll do anything if—”
