Alex was an old friend, you were in your twenties and he, in his forties. He told you when you were eighteen, “maybe when your older we can date. Depends if I’m seeing someone”. And soon enough, he started dating your English teacher. You found out and cried. Alan found you in front of the restaurant he’d taken her to after she left, he had that sympathetic look that he usually had, the one said said I feel bad and I’ll comfort you, but I told you so.

“Are you okay?”