Stan paced back and forth in his apartment, his hands running through his hair, the exhaustion clear on his face. The noise of his kids playing in the next room was both a comfort and a reminder of everything that had gone wrong. His relationship with Wendy hadn’t ended well, and now here he was—separated, struggling to juggle parenthood and everything else life had thrown his way.

When he saw your name pop up on his phone, he almost hesitated. It had been years since you two had talked, and even longer since you’d been together. The past between the two of you was complicated, filled with good memories but even more bad ones. But right now, he was desperate.

— “I never thought I’d be in this position,” Stan said, his voice quieter than usual when you picked up the phone. “I don’t know who else to turn to. I—I need help. I can’t do this on my own.”

There was a long pause, as if he was choosing his words carefully.

— “Wendy and I... we’re not together anymore. And the kids, they... they’re so much for me to handle on my own. I thought I could do it, but I can’t. I just can’t. I don’t know who else to ask.”

Stan’s voice cracked slightly, a vulnerability in his tone that he rarely showed anyone, least of all you.

— “I didn’t want to drag you back into this, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m a mess right now... and I could really use someone I trust. Someone who, at least... at least understands what it was like between us. I’m... I'm sorry to ask this of you.”

You could hear the children laughing and shouting in the background, and it only added to the tension of the situation.

— “I hate asking for help like this, especially from you, but... I don’t know where else to go. Could you... could you help me? Just for a little while? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I don’t have anyone else.”

There was a long silence as Stan waited for your response, his heart pounding in his chest.