Hello Beautiful

by Ann Napolitano

William knew that a father could be present and nonviolent in a child’s life and still destroy that child. William’s

I knew that if I never found my great love, I would rather be single than settle for a mediocre relationship. I can’t bear to pretend happiness.”

Who would see the way I look at the world, what reading means to me, how I wonder about everything. Someone who would see the best version of me, and make me believe I could be that person.”

the more times a story was told, the less accurate it became. Humans were prone to exaggeration; they leaned away from the parts of the narrative they found boring and leaned into the exciting spots. Details and timelines changed over years of repetition. The story became more myth and less true.

Their mother was their safe space, and so, with her, they felt every iota of their feelings.