“I just need to see that you’re okay.” He didn’t expect me to show up at his door, not after his episode and he ran out, shaken. Impulse ruled out any thoughts of caution, though the doctor says I should be cautious. But impulse and my stubbornness keeps me standing there. We’ve been through too much together, regardless of what’s changed between us, we can at least call each other friends. Although to me, it feels much more complex than ‘friends.’ “I’ve got your back. You know that right?” He nods. It’s like an unspoken promise that strengthens my words from before: that’s what we do. Protect each other.