So Hard to Love

Defense was my specialty

Illustration by Louisa Bertman

I had returned to Colorado from studying abroad in Italy for my sister’s wedding. I used a settlement from a car crash to pay for the five-week summer art history program. My dad said I was too fancy and thought I was more important than I was. I had just finished my freshman year of college. I felt independent, strong, worldly. At my sister’s wedding reception, I introduced my boyfriend to my…