~ Carl ~
Damn it all. What do I say to that?
"It's not what you think." I start to take her hand but she freezes, and I think better of it. 'She's remembering!' my brain screams at me. I swallow. "Please, let me explain."
She waits. Her uncertainty is a rusty crowbar, prying into my soul, making it bleed out. "Why would you ever have reason to tie me?" she whispers.
"It's really quite harmless," I implore her, shaking my head to show her I'm out of any ideas to placate her, that this is the truth. "I told you I had a rough start in life... I was uncomfortable with certain kinds of touch. I avoided physical contact with everyone."
She still looks afraid. God, don't let my horrendous past and strange, selfish lifestyle choices turn her from me. I beg you.
"While you and I were getti
