Your hyper-independence isn’t a strength, it’s a weakness. It’s something caused by trauma because you think if you never trust again, never let anyone in, then they won’t hurt you. You don’t think you deserve love and believe that everyone will do exactly what you’ve always experienced—hurt you. But you’re wrong, babe.” She wipes at the tears on her cheeks, tears I put there. My heart cracks at her words, at the pain and hopelessness in them, at the acceptance in her eyes. Is that what I’m doing? Pushing them away before they can hurt me? And if so, is that such a bad thing?
