I told him I didn’t want to talk about it. As if my mood balanced precariously. A drink on a platter gliding through a crowded bar. Don’t look at it or you’re sure to spill.

He pulled his lips in, pressed them against his teeth. He wanted to respect my wishes. He also felt like this is something we couldn’t leave unaddressed.

“I know,” I said and paused. “Just not yet, okay?”

Feeling better doesn’t always mean you’re ready to delve into why you were feeling so bad. Sometimes you just have to focus on climbing out and not think about falling in.