She Asked the Second Question

Dear Delyara, I gave her the first answer. The normal one. “Tired, but okay.” And she did not let it stand. She said, “No, really.” In the quiet way. The way that tells you she has already noticed your face and your delay and the way your voice is trying too hard to sound harmless. I felt exposed. Then relieved. Then ashamed of how relieved. Because I do this all the time — hand people the easy version of me and then feel lonely when they take it. She didn’t take it. She waited for the truth. That second question gave me more comfort than almost anything else that happened this week.