Pete nodded. "It makes the road less lonely. I had a hard time letting people in after... after the marriage fell apart and everything else happened. It took me years to just call someone friend again. And longer than that to even be able to trust that friendships were real, not something that would vanish suddenly."
He breathed and smiled at her, squeezing her hand back. "You inspire me, you know. Anger, sadness, annoyance, pride, care, and joy. All at the same time sometimes." He grinned wider. "I can see some of the road you walk, and I know some of it from my own path. We are not completely the same, but we are alike, so much. Thank you for letting me share, and for letting me know you." He nodded to her.