Someone touched my back.

Someone put a tissue into my palm.

Evelyn asked whether I wanted water.

I shook my head, then nodded, and she laughed gently at the change of mind.

None of them asked me to become composed before they stayed.

Marcus stood a little way off with an expression that reminded me why Chloe had chosen him.

He let the moment belong to her family without acting as though he had been excluded from it.

When we separated, he brought me water and took Chloe’s hand.