"Uh … yes. I'm not ready for a relationship." But that was a lie because he thought that he might be ready. He couldn't tell her that there was a woman whom he'd met and this woman had taken up every bit of free thought that he had. Martier made him want to wake up in the morning and actually live, not just get by. There was a purpose. He could see the beauty in the world again and enjoy the sound of music. He could allow himself to feel more than pain.

"Tim, I realize that ...