It wasn’t about you, and it wasn’t your fault.

I’m sorry we didn’t get to be together.” She was quiet.

Then she asked whether I was sick.

The question startled me until she explained that her mother had said I needed space because I was having a difficult time.

“Sometimes grown-ups need time to settle their feelings,” I told her.

“But I love you just as much as ever.

I want to see you when we can make a plan everybody understands.”