Dignity Isn’t a Countdown: When “Safety” Starts Feeling Like Control

things.

But love doesn’t give you ownership.

So I chose my words carefully, like walking across ice.

“Denise,” I said, “when you were sixteen and you wanted to go to that late movie with your friends, I wanted to say no. I was terrified. I pictured every terrible thing that could happen. And you know what I did?”

She blinked, caught off guard.

“I taught continue reading …