Text;

[onerous]

What is it that keeps you living? Why? What makes it worth it to you?

[That’s, uh. That’s it. That’s the message. There’s no follow-up explanation or anything.

She’s just curious and doesn’t seem to see how alarming a question like that out of the blue might be]

Comments

text;

[epistemically]

My son. He makes living more bearable.

[onerous]

What is he like?

[epistemically]

Fierce, like a wild fire burning unbridled. Headstrong and caring.

I'm very lucky that he's allowed me to know him, because I've heard he can be very cautious around new people.

[onerous]

[She's about to question that--it seems like a really weird thing to say about your son--before she puts two and two together. Oh.]

I guess something happened to separate you two before now? I'm glad you were able to reunite. It must have been really tough.

[epistemically]

Yes. I had to leave him with his father, and there are many times I regretted the decision.

I'll never get the time back, but I'm glad to have the time now.

[onerous]

That's good. I'm sure you had good reason to leave, and hopefully he understands that. But it sounds like he did.

Is he here in the city too?

[epistemically]

Yes, he's here.

And you're right, I think he does understand. It doesn't make it hurt any less.