Blair took a breath and blew it out. This was some deep shit, and nothing she said in response would make it better, but she also didn’t want to make it worse. She stopped walking and turned to look at Erin. “I wish I knew what to say to all of that, but I know I can’t make it better or change the effect it has on you. What I can tell you is even though I’ve only known you a month, I couldn’t imagine ever walking away from you.” Shit. That might’ve been a bit much. “I mean, I know I’m just the babysitter and that doesn’t hold much weight, but I think you’re pretty awesome.”

Erin stared at Blair for a long time, her mouth opening and closing multiple times as if she couldn’t think of what to say in response. The fourth time she snapped it shut, she squeezed her eyes closed as well. A few seconds later, tears started to stream down her face.

“Shit.” Unsure what to do, Blair wrapped Erin in an awkward loose hug and patted her on the back as if she was Nolan. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Much to her surprise, Erin held her tight and cried onto her shoulder.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Blair said softly. “Let it out. Everything is okay. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Blair wasn’t sure how much time passed, but eventually, Erin pulled away and promptly wiped her eyes on her shirt as if she thought that would erase the past few minutes. “I’m so sorry about that. I think I’ve held it in for so long that it all just came flooding out at once. I try to be so strong for Nolan, and because of that, I haven’t really given myself a chance to feel. I shouldn’t have put that all on you though. It’s not fair.”

Blair reached out her hand and rubbed Erin’s arm. “Hey, I asked, didn’t I? I’m just sorry if I said something wrong.”

Erin shook her head. “You didn’t. It was the opposite, actually. I can’t remember the last time someone said something so sweet to me.”

Something so sweet?  All Blair had done was tell her the truth. “If that’s truly the case, then I’m sorry more people in your life aren’t telling you how amazing you are. You’re like superwoman, and you deserve to be reminded of that every day.”

Erin chuckled as a few more tears ran down her cheeks. “God, I’m sorry I’m such a mess. Today is supposed to be a celebration, and here I am unloading all of my baggage on you from the past thirty-two years.”