Look.

I'm completely speechless that someone, anyone, would talk about me like this. Would think so highly of me, believe in me so completely. I appreciate what you're trying to offer me.

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry because I can't take you up on your offer. I'm sorry because I'm hurting you, and I can't do anything to fix it. I'm trying to make this as painless and as easy for you as possible, but you're making this difficult for yourself.

I also appreciate all you're trying to do.

But stop treating me like a porcelain doll. Stop treating me like a kid, and stop trying to stand in front of me. I don't need you there. I don't want you there. I can take care of myself. And I can assure you that if you keep it up, all you're going to accomplish is getting hit in the face. By me. I may feel terrible, but my patience has a very fine line. I told you I didn't want to talk to you around other people because I have no idea how I would react to you. I don't want to take the risk of that line snapping and causing a scene, because that is the last damn thing I need right now.

I know you're upset, and I know I'm the cause of it. I also know that saying sorry doesn't fix anything, but that's as good as you're going to get. I don't care what you want or don't want to do. The fact that this is reality, that this happened, is there, so you need to accept it and learn to cope. I know it isn't easy, and I don't expect you to pick up on it right away.

But don't act like a kid in a candy store when his mom told him no because he's already had a piece today.

Take care of yourself, and leave me to take care of myself. I've always been fine by myself. I can and I will handle myself.

Kristine's already upset with me because you're being upset all the time about this, saying how you don't want it to happen.

Life isn't about what you want sometimes. Man up and realize that.