No one is doing that for her now. Who can replace what I was in her life? Who’s there for her when she needs a hug, when she needs someone to pick her up? No one, because I know her. She won’t let anyone close. It took me so much work to edge even a little nearer and took years to have her fully rely on me.

I should be there. I’m the one who was always meant to bandage her wounds, wipe away her tears. She trusted me and me alone, to be the one to see deep inside of her, touch her ...