One hundred indelicate reassurances coalesce into a single vexing nicety that breaks like a wave of ammonia against the arch of my contorting brow. A warm gesture if nothing else how kind. That kindness, no matter how grating that concern, no matter how fleeting that love, no matter how bloodless: has been noted and isn't that what matters? That you've been thanked? Whether or not I even remember your name?
