Just a quick drablette, focusing on their relationship over the years.
And she was nine, and too young, and too curious.
And she was twelve, and quiet, and alone.
And she was sixteen, and cautious, and a good friend.
And she was eighteen, and old enough, and too close.
And she was twenty-one, and even more curious, and close to happy.
And she was twenty-three, and his, and done waiting.