this friend i had very very briefly, very briefly dated, like maybe once, but we became better friends, casually mentioned her “new boyfriend,” completely out of context, before we ended our phone conversation.

then a few minutes later she called me to back to apologize for speaking of the new boyfriend so matter-of-factly, without warning, not taking into account how I might feel. But then she added that she was surprised that i did respond or ask questions.

i told her i was a bit surprised, but considering that we dated like maybe once, i don’t know, 5 years ago, and that we didn’t even live in the same country, it made perfect sense to me that she would have found someone. She agreed.

I told her I was actually relieved to hear that she was no longer alone, because, i said, no one should be alone. i mean, no one who does not want or choose to be alone should be alone.

And then there was a long pause, which was broken by her weeping. She was quite moved by what i had said. But it’s true. no one should be alone. That was the first time she had heard anyone say it.

Moments later I thought… finally. i have said the right thing to the right person at the right moment. it took a while. but i finally did it.