“Unrequited love does not die; it’s only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded. For some unfortunates, it turns bitter and mean, and those who come after pay the price for the hurt done by the ones who came before.”

Saw this in my FB feed a few years ago…someone else posted it.

You beat a dog enough times, no matter how kind it once was, it learns to be mean. You crush a heart enough times, it will snarl and bare teeth when someone reaches to touch…a gesture of affection looks the same as a hand reached to administer a beating. Or cause to recall a hand that was known for playing tricks.

I’m trying to coax out a stray cat who is hanging out around my house right now…to give humans a second chance in this creature’s worldview. It’s going to take a long, long, long time if it ever happens. He’s starving for attention but snarls a “don’t you mess with me” tone the whole time I put food out. If I move too quick, he shelters under my truck.

Once my back is turned, you see the most loving cat come out…hungry…but truly a beautiful animal. Silver grey Bengal hybrid, with the sweetest eyes.

He looks at me and pines. He cannot afford the luxury of trust. He wants to come into my house. Life taught this one otherwise. Trust is a luxury that costs far too much. There may have been a supply of second chances at some point, but that supply has clearly run out.

In truth, people aren’t much different. “Unrequited love does not die; it’s only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded. For some unfortunates, it turns bitter and mean, and those who come after pay the price for the hurt done by the ones who came before.”