Wanting to hide and wanting to be seen… isn’t that everything. everything I didn’t let myself feel for so long, it all got stuck in my throat, and the permission I gave that kid today… the tightness behind my eyes… like it was for both of us, always. The lemon water… and the way the mug felt… hot. Against my palms, like… grounding… not used to that feeling, a warmth and a grief at the same time… I’m starting to think… the voice on the mirror… it’s seeping in.