A Letter to a Friend

I hate that you keep running from me, even though I know it’s my fault. I watched him hurt you. I watched you shatter. Anger or Sadness should’ve been there for you – and they were, but selfishly, I pushed them away. Anger would’ve hastily pieced you back together, leaving you to heal crooked. But this crookedness would’ve reminded you of your past, of what you’ll never let anyone do to you again. Sadness would’ve just left you broken, left your pieces strewn wherever they happened to fall. But then you would’ve finally realized your own strength, and in time, rebuilt yourself. I didn’t want them to touch you, to ruin my sweet little girl with the innocent heart, so I fixed you myself, all by myself. You were so quick to forgive all those who had wronged you until, piece by piece, you shattered once again. Now, when you need me, need relief from the sobs that rack your body in the lonely hours of the night, you won’t let me in. Anger swoops in and turns you against your friends – or at least the few you have left. Sadness chips away at what little remains of you until, soon, there will be no part of you that isn’t broken. Yes, I’m afraid that, in shielding you from certain kinds of pain, I’ve only managed to cause more. Please just let me back in, please just stop running.

Love,

Hope