I pulled up to Yin’s apartment building where I knew from dropping him off a couple of times, he lived with his two older sisters. I had barely brought the SUV to a full stop when Yin ran up and yanked the car door open. He got in the car with a backpack on this shoulder, his usually sunny face drawn and worried. “You have everything you need for a sleepover?” I asked with a hell of a lot more lightness than I felt.

He looked like he was about to cry. “Yes,” he said, pointing at a small leather backpack. “Thank you for picking me up. I didn’t want Ari coming to get me. He might get into an accident,” he said as he wiped his eyes. “He’s too upset. My sister was going to drive me on her way to work, but she doesn’t leave for another hour.”

“No problem. You want to call in the order for dinner? Thai?” He nodded and pulled out his phone.

We spent the last few minutes of the drive in the negotiations of placing a dinner order and by the time I drove my SUV into the underground parking of my building, we were both feeling a little less on edge.

Ari was waiting for us when we walked up to the building. He and Yin embraced, hard. I imagined with what they’ve both gone through just to get to the States that they were deeply aware of how fragile life could be. They’d been apart for maybe an hour, but they were touching as if it’d been years. It was a relief to see them be a comfort for each other.

As we reached my door I noticed a note taped to my door. I knew who it was from before I even read it. My heart sank and my stomach flipped before I could make out the words. It was only a couple of lines, letting me know he was home and I could come up whenever I got in. But the frustration and fear of the last hour were more than I could ignore. I ushered Yin and Ari into my apartment then pulled out my phone. I quickly tapped out a text, ruthlessly ignoring the ache in my chest as I did so.

Sorry to tell you last minute, but I won’t make it tonight. Have a good rest of your weekend.

After that I turned off my phone.

I looked at the couch where Ari and Yin were sitting. They were talking quietly, their heads so close together their foreheads touched, and I decided this would be where I’d place my energy for now. I needed to focus on the places where I was needed.

“What would you guys like to watch? There’s a bunch of new stuff on Netflix or we can buy something?”