More women than I would want to remember have stood at Michael's side. Some arrived glistening in silk, their eyes painted with unfulfilled promises.

Others, certain that they could subdue the tempest he harbors inside his bones, arrived with their claws sharp and teeth bared.

And just a handful of them vowed to love him enough to share his crown. They were all unsuccessful. They broke apart one by one under his weight and the armor of quiet he wears. I made a self-promise to never fall ...