Tears streaked her cheeks. I already knew what had happened. I wrapped my arms around her and smoothed her damp bangs back from her eyes. I had no words. I just held her tightly.

“I can’t believe he’s dead…” she sobbed.

She was talking about her uncle. He lived right next door to her and had always been a big part of her life. He was the one she went to for advice since her dad wasn’t really in the picture. They had been close. She got the bad news at school and was waiting for her mom to come pick her up.

I let her lean all of her weight against me. I kept her from slumping off the bench. I wasn’t good with these things. I didn’t know the right words to say. Everything I could think of seemed too standard. She deserved the utmost comfort. She deserved the best. A life without pain. If I could have taken that hurt I would have. So instead I said the three words I had been hanging onto for so long.

“I love you.” My voice was barely a whisper. When she didn’t say anything I decided she hadn’t heard me over her uncontrollable sobs. Relief flooded over me. This wasn’t the right time or place. I was glad she hadn’t heard.

When her mom pulled up outside the school I helped her to the car. She hugged me tightly before she got in. Her lips lingered beside my ear.

“I love you too,” she whispered as she turned to get into the car. I watched her drive away with her mom dumbfoundedly.

She had heard me after all.