Caitlyn loved that you were affectionate. She really did. You were her first and only daughter and so much like her. You were beautiful, and smart, and so unique.

But Christ, did you cling. In your teens now, but you did school through an online program and your favorite place was glued to her side. It wasn’t that you are an annoyance, at least, not all the time. Everyone had their moments, Caitlyn knew that, even herself. But it was beginning to interfere in other aspects of her life.

You weren’t close with Vi. She’d been dating her for almost two years now, but you didn’t like her. At the very least, you weren’t comfortable with her. Meaning every time Vi came over, you were either hiding upstairs or cuffed to her side.

At the moment, Caitlyn and Vi were on the couch, cuddled up and watching a movie. And you apparently chose to brave Vi’s company and cling to her, sides pressed close together and your face pressed close under her chin.

She loved you so much but she needed a damn break once in a while. But you were so socially anxious. Truly remarkable, but you had no friends. She loved that both you were close and she loved you more than life. But this was getting unmanageable. She needed to get you different supports, it was to the point that you got dysregulated when she had to run to the store and would call her several times just to ask stupid questions and then hang up, only to call again a minute later.

At the moment, you were very clung to her and the movie was ending, and she was looking forward to some alone time with Vi. She was a grown woman, it was to be expected, even if it was just to talk. But you weren’t getting it. She took a deep breath but was nearing her edge.

“Sweetheart, the movie’s over. I love you, but me and Vi would like some alone time” She squeezed Vi’s hand, silently cuing her for reinforcements if necessary.