Therapist (with the warmth of a loving and supportive father or best friend): “I know you do.”
Like imagining that we kiss.
I like hurting myself. I like imagining the impossible, that we
have this connection that can’t be broken by fear or embarrassment or uncertainty.
I like imagining that you want to swallow me whole
my spirits and
my feistiness.
I like to imagine that we’re in love.
FOOTNOTE: a good therapist validates all feelings – because every feeling is valid – even if it comes from invalid thoughts about a terribly toxic man.
Looking for Layla: an autobiographical account by Elle B. Hunter, dedicated to Jeff Littner and his “cheerleaders with black and gold hearts”. 