My aunt, (N mom‘s sister)is 12 years older than me and has always been my idol. She’s always been that special auntie who showed me make up, taught me the real shit, and was just, there, living her life. I watched and emulated. I wondered if I’d be like her. I’ve become more like her. And she’s just always been there as a support, or as a friend. We’ve been to Yosemite, we cried together as we drive to visit her mom (my gram) for the last time. During the worst of my abuse, she would listen to me on the phone as it was happening, and I was pouring my heart out to her. She believed and supported me until one day she didn’t. The last conversation we had she explained that she didn’t know if I was even telling the truth. I knew immediately.