To Overcome Helplessness

Nowicki felt Paulina's hand on his hand. His friend sat down on the couch, so their knees were almost touching. Just her touch and company cheered him.

"I have no idea how he must feel now" Andrzej confessed. "When I try to imagine it, I just can't. I know he is suffering, I know he is struggling, but ... If I could, I'd take it all on myself, but he won't let me. I can see him trying, but ... Sometimes he can't tear himself away from me. Then I hug him in my arms and stroke his head, at the same time feeling that he is moving away from me. This is so weird."

Paulina's other hand appeared on his other hand.

"You love him," the woman said mildly.

"Finally I understood it and told him how I felt. I know that he has not stopped loving me, but ... sometimes we are so close, and sometimes it seems to me that we are separated by oceans. When we made love..."