Work Text:
The heavy confident strides next to me draw me out of my thoughts.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m ok.”
“I know”
“How”
“Cause I’m ok too.”
That simple assurance. That look that says “Yes, you can do this. Yes, you get to come back. I will be here when you do”. All that in that simple exchange.
I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. I take one step. I take one more step. I take another step. I will my feet to keep moving.
I have breath in my lungs and strength to fight for my family another day.
For right now, that is enough. It has to be.