You treated my heart like a toy.

My heart crumbled that night into a thousand pieces. Like a jigsaw puzzle.

Overnight, I became a shadow. An unshowered mess. A hermit. Living within my walls with the curtains drawn, refusing to see the sunshine.

My pillowcase was saturated with tears. For weeks, I refused to leave my bed. Eating just to maintain life, though I didn’t care to live without you. As sad and pathetic as that sounds.

Mad with anger, I grabbed our teddy bear. Yes, Frankie. And I destroyed him. Ripping off his arm and gauging out an eye. But as his eye bounced to the carpet, I realized I was carrying on your destruction. You were a ghost in my soul. And I was letting you win.

So, I collected the pieces of my heart. I felt the weight of its hurt. And I pushed the jagged squares together.

One by one. Piece by piece.

A daunting task, but a freeing process. And like the Tin Man, I have a beating heart. It works, even with the scars and holes from the missing pieces.

And I mended Frankie. Why should he feel broken because of my angst?

Sure, he’s a teddy bear. Just a toy, right? Like I was to you? Regardless, Frankie and I are both repaired.

And you’ll never play with either of us. Ever again.



Always,

Tessa