I can see how it'd be almost protective to have that be a side-effect of things. Like it makes what you've had to do more bearable.

I wonder if it'll last, or if it'll change with time? My best guess is to the latter.

It's funny, what you were saying, it just reminded me so very much of Alice, actually. She was keeping me company while I was going spare waiting to hear about Charlie, and she was talking about how it was so hard for her to feel truly happy or satisfied about anything these days, and how much quicker she was to anger.

Anyways.

All of this stuff leaves a mark. And perhaps it stays with us for a good long while, and we have to sort out how to manage it as best as we can.

Maybe it's a blessing, not being able to go back. Having to move forward, I mean.