Breathe in, breathe out

2

I think in retrospect we all knew what happened. You just couldn't stand it anymore, and you snapped. You were sick of pretending everything was okay so you just let go.

That day, I don't think many words were exchanged between the two of us. You knew I at least sort of understood what happened and that I knew you'd talk to me whenever you were ready. All I did was stay by your side, patiently.

I moved through the chaos to get to you and once I did, I simply cleared a space next to your stool and sat, holding your hand. We sat there in a silence so filled with unsaid words that it shouldn't be described as a silence at all, even though it was.

Once I felt the time was right, I got up and gently tugged on your arm to get you to move along. We still hadn't exchanged a word, only a mere glance, but it made no difference.

You put your feet down from your stool and followed me outside through all the destruction in your house.

I could tell your heart wasn't in it when you smiled at me, but I knew it would get better over time. This is what you had needed to happen. It would be okay. Or at least as okay as it could be.