“I think I did.”

Dr.

Park leaned forward.

“Feeling excluded is something you can discuss.

It does not justify removing another person’s access to a safe sleeping space, and it certainly does not justify lying about consent.”

For once Lucas did not argue.

We spoke about the moments when his frustration became dismissive language.

I realized how often I had hurried to smooth things over, afraid an argument would last for days if I refused.