Yet, with one simple caress, many little moments surface to give me a new perspective on recent times with him. A reminder of the man who consoled me after Feral died. Miami, before he beat someone half to death. He was in there, but I failed to see it until now.

My knee-jerk reaction to his uttering those words simmers as my confuddled mind tries to piece these things together. Confusion is taking over, and I’m combatting my feelings and thoughts. My emotions are already waning from ...