On the Edge of Life

VIII.

Even from the very beginning, people said she was gifted.

It seemed as if she had picked up a paintbrush or some other sketching tool before taking her first steps. Her parents saw her early genius and enrolled her in a school fit for kids like her. Here, she flourished and became the best of them. And the mother and father were so proud, until they weren't anything anymore, and neither was she. What used to make her happy didn't anymore. She was sent to live with her aunt where she wallowed in her darkness. But they say time heals all wounds. She didn't know what healed her, she didn't know if she was healed. She just knew she managed to move forward somehow in some degree. And for a little girl of nine, that was quite a feat.

Freedom came when she turned the age of freedom and womanhood. This opened the door for her to explore her passions wherever she wanted. She chose Rome. Rome was beautiful, and she felt alive there like no other place had or ever would. Rome turned into Europe and mountains and cobblestone streets and rich culture. She learned a lot of things about life and beauty there that no university could teach. This new worldview led into adulthood and independence became reality as she embraced the next chapter solo.

And this would not change as far as she was concerned, because no one can hurt you if you don't have anyone.