A Conversation With Lily Bloom

“Did it hurt,” I asked Lily looked at me her expression unmasked “Did what hurt?” “Always having to be on the alert?” Before she could respond, I continued, “Watching and waiting for the next strike.” She sighed before saying, “we’re alike.” “How would you know?” She breathed out a laugh. “It’s not like you need outward injuries to show.” I blinked, “what do you mean?” “Sometimes, the worse cuts are those that cannot be seen.” She cupped my face with her hand I could feel my tears fighting to withstand “You don’t have to be the one abused to feel the effects of an abuser.” “I know how you may want to keep quiet. You don’t want to seem like an accuser.” My face trembled in her hand “And I’m not saying you have to take a stand.” “But, trauma is trauma, my little flower.” “And no matter what you do, you should not cower” A tear slipped from my moist eye She then cupped my face with both hands before whispering, “it’s important to cry” I whispered back, “but what if I don’t want to cry.” “With each tear, you are kissing your hurt goodbye” “That is why it is so important to cry.” “I don’t want to admit it hurts,” I sighed “For I wasn’t the one who was striked.” “Every time you witnessed, you were stripped.” “What do you mean,” I asked “You now have a cut within your soul that cannot be masked.” “No matter how long the clock ticks, you will always have those cuts within your soul.” “So, don’t act like you should not hurt because you are no longer whole.” She squeezed my cheeks with her hands, “Nothing is your fault, that you must not forget” “You are a victim and have every right to be upset.” “But I-” “No buts. You will not feel guilty if you must cry.” I blinked, for I could not speak Lily's color began to fade, “I must go now, but remember you are not weak” “Never forget what I’ve told you,” she said as she lowered her hands from my face She then tugged me into the most comforting embrace “Okay,” I breathed She gave me a soft smile before disappearing, “Okay indeed.” [Character is Lily Bloom from the book It Ends With Us]