Make It Sweet

by Kristen Callihan

If you believe anything about me, believe I will always be the guy who stands with you, never against you.”

But at the most basic level, abuse isn’t about the physically strong versus the weak. It’s a mindfuck, designed to break down your dignity and confidence.”

“Bees make honey, Em.” I nudged her again, hard enough to rock her and make her squeak with a laugh. “And you seem intent upon making me sweet.”

“Failure is simply opportunity in disguise. I do not know of a single success story that did not have its share of failures along the way. We try, we grow, sometimes we fail. You either crumble and stop living life, or you pick yourself up and use the experience to set a new course.” Her words bubbled through me, stirring something that felt a lot like hope. Amalie’s gaze turned inward. “To live is to adapt. We’re constantly reinventing ourselves. Don’t be afraid of failure or change, loves; it means you’re alive.”

“But that’s on me. I’m always building castles in the air, only to find out there’s nothing solid to rely on.”

“Just remember, it doesn’t matter how far you go; you’ll always be where your heart is.”