Being young never stopped you before, Jack... [As accusatory as her tone sounded, her voice was still soft.]
But I am not a child anymore. And I need you to understand that I don't feel safe around you. Years of torment doesn't just... go away over night.
[She drew a heavy breath, the next word lodged firmly in her throat. It was one syllable, one she had said recently even. That time, it had been coerced out of her, just as it had every time before]
[It felt odd to want to say it of her own volition.]
Dad, if you ever want me back, you need to let me be. You need to start listening to me. You need to prove that you really, truly have changed. It is the only way I will be able to trust you.
no subject
But I am not a child anymore. And I need you to understand that I don't feel safe around you. Years of torment doesn't just... go away over night.
[She drew a heavy breath, the next word lodged firmly in her throat. It was one syllable, one she had said recently even. That time, it had been coerced out of her, just as it had every time before]
[It felt odd to want to say it of her own volition.]
Dad, if you ever want me back, you need to let me be. You need to start listening to me. You need to prove that you really, truly have changed. It is the only way I will be able to trust you.