Alice offers me an opportunity to explain my behavior, which, given the way I yelled at her and pounded on her door, seems like more than I maybe deserve right away. “I’m so frightened, Alice.”

She walks around the desk and reaches for me. I rise to hug her, and as soon as I have my arms around her, I feel so much better. She’s solid and real and as I hold her, I begin to think that maybe this can eventually be ok. “I’m here, Tim,” she whispers. “I’m scared, ...