[It's true, what he says. She's very much aware of her status as the benchmark for 'normal' in this house, and it will be a cold day in hell before Holly Kujo doesn't listen to her heart before anything or anyone else. And it hurts to think that no matter how much she might love these boys, no matter how much she might care, the difference in their experiences will likely always stand as a gulf between them. She can see the other shore, but she can't cross it, not on her own.

But this...]

It's okay. I'm happy to be a sounding board if that's what you need.

[This is a piece of driftwood washing up on her beach, something that, perhaps one day, she can use to make a raft.]

But I think I understand. You told me he keeps you yourself, but to do that, he has to know who "yourself" is, maybe even better than you do. And not having that understanding... it's like a melody without its harmony. The piece can still work with a strong beat and support, and it might even sound good, especially to ears that aren't trained for that sort of thing. But it'll still feel a little hollow, or off balance.

[Her expression relaxes as she speaks, some of that melancholy in her eyes transformed into nostalgic wistfulness. One can get the sense she's thought about this quite a bit.]

Does that sound about right?