I think (I know) I've helped them too. we've been through
some wars together. some stuff. there's one I can't mention
but she loved me. at a time I thought love was impossible.
she would call me from restaurants, from parties, rock
concerts. she was married and decided to stay that way.
we still talk, but not as often since she had her baby. for
a moment, I thought we might end up together. we didn't.
and that was OK. there were tears. there was joy. there
was a depth I'd despaired of feeling in myself.

as much as to be loved, I need to love.
this has been an important discovery.