The way you spoke to me over lunch made me feel so understood. Really, the entire way you went about that issue with me made me feel like you knew how to take care of me on this very particular way that I cannot exactly articulate, but deeply need. I think that is why our discussing later this evening was jarring. I am sorry for calling you weird or making you feel crazy. I don’t think you’re either. It hurts my heart when we are like that with one another.

I love you. If we were only allowed to say 60 words a day, I’d say “I love you” to you 20 times. If you didn’t reply, I’d know you’d used all your words for the day, and I’d stay on the phone until the clock rolled over to midnight, waiting for the next days allotment of words, just listening to you breathe.