My other half. for once, screamed to speak. I tore at the bridle that held back my tongue.

“You know I love you, I see you manipulate that fact with your eyes, you’re doing it now. When I show one iota of backward movement, you pull me inward with ‘maybe one day we can, you know’ statement.”

“But you’re my Knight In Shining Armor, I’ll die if you leave me. What will you do then?”

My horse stumbled and broke it’s leg, I couldn’t believe she was stabbing my heart with her dagger of manipulation. Her weapon was shiny, it gleamed like truth, reflecting a hopefully favorable reaction from me.

“We need each other. Friends do things for each other” she continued with a convincing tone. “You owe me for being your friend too.”

That’s when I started ripping off my armor, my fingers bled for escape. Even Dr. Seuss’s words spoke to the child in me, You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

“America, you’re already dead, it’s just that I’ve been fooled by your breathing.”