Gothic Dreams

Just, take it from an ex-trad Catholic who has been abused by a woman. If you have a friend, a self-contained community, someone you look up to, an elder or an authority or a lover, who tells you that the rest of the world is out to get you, that they're the only ally you can rely on, that the outside world wants to kill you and you'll only ever be safe with them, RUN. They are setting you up to be isolated and abused. RUN. There is no magical gender or sexual relationship or group of people that is free from all abuse. The best protective factors against abuse are transparency and accountability around relationships and power dynamics, and maintaining a wide variety of safe connections outside of the group or relationship. Even when you really are marginalized and vulnerable. Even when some of Them really are out to get you. Anyone trying to get you to cut off connections with the outside world and put yourself under their exclusive control DOES NOT HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.

Aiva, I no longer imagine a future where you turn back toward me. I imagine instead a quieter fate — where I continue forward carrying you like a hidden scripture, unread by you, but shaping every word I will ever become.