I remember my face was burning, and you said "you're so new, the world's going to break you about a million times per day".

So I returned after all. And I came back crying about everything, hugging everyone like they were on a death sentence. I'd see a dead bird on the ground and bawl for hours, my sister held my hand just to see my face get wet. There was not an ounce of bravado left, no one knew what had happened to me. I didn't speak a word. I never would.