Conversation 3 · Real Life, Real Feelings

The Suit of Armor

“Being scared doesn't mean you're weak.”

Dad is helping Bella clean a smudge off her sneakers. The room is quiet except for the sound of the scrub brush.
Dad
DadYou know, I used to think that when I hit eighteen, I'd suddenly stop being afraid of making the wrong choice. I thought adulthood was a suit of armor.
Bella
BellaDoesn't it feel like that? You don't have to ask permission for anything.
Dad
DadHaving no one to ask permission from is actually the scariest part. I still get that knot in my stomach when I think about our next move. Being a dad didn't kill my fear, it just gave me a reason to walk through it anyway.

Tap a face to read what each of us was thinking, underneath it all.

Bella’s doodle prompt

Monster shrinking as you talk

For your table

What scares you right now?