“Can’t … love.” I struggle to formulate my feelings, reverting to another bout of struggling gasps to fill my lungs again.

“Don’t talk … breathe and try to calm yourself. It’s going to be okay, Sophie. You’re going to be okay. It will pass.” Her serene and grounding voice is all that’s holding me steady as the haze lifts with more oxygen in my lungs. I realize I am kneeling forward with my face on the floor, and her body is half wrapped around me protectively. ...