I down my drink in one and push the empty glass on the table in front of me briskly, turning to stare out of the window instead of at him, and he falls silent beside me and lets out a subtle heavy sigh.

The rest of the plane ride is short and silent between us. We stay seated together, but I stare out the window and act like I am engrossed in watching the nothing in the darkness and watch aimlessly for city lights. Alexi stays with me, quietly listening to his family and occasionally ...