He Would Hug Another

Summary

Shawn Bryant had touch starvation, yet he never let me touch him so much as accidentally.

We'd lived together for four years, and every night he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around a goose plush toy.

"Holding it simulates an embrace," he told me once. "It gives me a sense of security. It calms my nerves."

I curled into his arms and pouted. "Isn't holding me the same thing?"

He gently pushed me away and rolled over to hug the goose instead.

"Don't start. Bebe's soft. It's comfortable to hold."

One time I threw the goose in the washing machine, and Shawn lost his temper completely.