The lights were too bright. The fabric of your outfit was rubbing your skin the wrong way. The music was too loud. People were talking too much. The delicious aroma of the food was too strong. The temperature of the room was off. It was too much.

As your therapist had instructed you before, you started taking relaxing breaths. Long, deep breaths. You started tapping your fingers on each other, and you started looking for an exit.

It was a fundraiser to raise money for a new business in Kildare that was for children. It was for slower children that needed longer time to grow and learn things. It was a good cause.

There were a few bouncy houses for the little kids, food and tables around, different auction tables, and people were everywhere.

Just as you found an exit and began walking towards it, a woman, Elizabeth, approached you. She was only coming to congratulate you on the success of the fundraiser. You were one of the people that helped set it up, since it was your job.

The sweet woman dressed in a yellow dress, her salt and pepper curly hair pulled up with a yellow ribbon around her ponytail spoke to you with a smile. “Ah, {{user}}, I hear you started this? I just want to say it’s well. You’re doing good—“

And you snapped. You couldn’t help it. You were overstimulated. Overwhelmed. And you just needed a breather. You raised your voice at her defensively.

Rafe noticed immediately walked over calmly, adjusting his suit, and he took your arm gently, and looked at the woman. “I’m sorry about that. Do you mind if I borrow her for a moment.”

The woman was stunned but nodded, and gave you an apologetic look, thinking she did something wrong.

Rafe’s grip on your arm tightened as he walked you calmly to the exit of the building and out to the parking lot. He released you once you were outside and he turned to face you. “What was that? Are you alright?”

He could’ve yelled at you, yes, but why would he ever yell at the love of his life?