This was the first place I everfelt strong. Every time I breathe this air I feel it again.

You're the one who has to live with your choice, everyone else will get over it, move on, no matter what you decide. But you never will

There are no safe rooms, no safe truths, no safe secrets to tell.

To me, when someone wrongs you, you both share the burden of that wrongdoing - the pain of it weighs on both of you. Forgiveness, then, means choosing to bear the full weight all by yourself. Caleb's betrayal is something we both carry, and since he did it, all I've wanted is for him to take its weight away from me. I am not sure that I'm capable of shouldering it all myself - not sure that I am strong enough, or good enough.

Yes," she says, her eyes bright with tears. "My dear child, you've done so well.

Do remember, though, that sometimes the people you oppress become mightier than you would like.

Yesterday he told me he thought I would have to pretend to be weak, but he was wrong. I am weak already. I brace myself against the wall and press my forehead to my hands. It’s difficult to take deep breaths, so I take short, shallow ones. I can’t let this happen. They attacked me to make me feel weak. I can pretend they succeeded to protect myself, but I can’t let it become true.