The card said that growing older did not mean becoming who everyone else expected.

It meant becoming brave enough to remain yourself.

Maya arrived that afternoon.

She did not bring questions or advice.

She brought soup, clean pajamas, and a phone charger.

When I told her about the neck bruises, she knelt in front of me and asked whether she could hug me.

I nodded.

That small act of asking permission nearly undid me.