My friend said “I know you’re tired, so I’ll keep this short” and then actually did

Dear Delyara, I think what made it feel so kind was not only that she noticed. It was that she adapted. She didn’t take my tiredness personally, didn’t ask for a performance of warmth I couldn’t afford, didn’t force the conversation to meet some social ideal of enthusiasm. She just let me be exactly as much as I was and arranged herself around that kindly. That is a rare feeling. And a healing one.