"Why won't you leave?"
"I'm not always here."
"But that's not the same as being gone forever, is it?"
"You want me gone?"
Slightly hurt.
"No.. that's not what I meant... well.. maybe.."
"I don't mean you any harm, you know that right?"
Silence.
"I know. It's just that, whenever you're around I feel stifled. Held back. Your presence makes me second guess everything I do and think. I have such plans for the future, but then you appear and I stop dead in my tracks."
"I'm sorry.. I don't mean to make you feel that way, but.."
"That's not much of an apology."
A pause. Then a sigh.
"But what?"
"You're the one who keeps leaving the door open."
Silence again.
"And for what it's worth, I don't always succeed in holding you back. Sometimes you press on, despite my presence."
Was that a hint of pride?
"Yeah.. I suppose that's true."
Another pause.
"I don't want to hate you."
"You don't have to. There is a way to see less of me."
"Really?"
"Of course. I have a friend. They can visit you instead of me sometimes if you like."
"I think I'd like that. How do I get in touch with them?"
"All you have to do is leave the door open."
"So what's your friend's name?"
"Their name is Confidence," Insecurity said.
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