He turns to walk out of the room, stopping to look back. “I don’t know if I told you this lately”—his voice gets softer—“but I’m happy you’re here.” I swallow down the lump formed in my throat with his declaration. “I don’t know if I told you this lately, but I’m happy I’m here also.” He nods at me as I blink furiously to make sure the sting of the tears that are threatening to come don’t.
