"For being here," Yelena's voice cracked slightly.
"I don't know how I would've managed these last few weeks."
West shrugged. "You would've figured it out."
She laughed weakly while her eyes glistened. "No... I really don't think I would've."
The grief she had been holding together all evening finally started slipping through the cracks.
West moved closer without saying anything.
Yelena rubbed her eyes. "I'm supposed to be the strong one."
"You are."
She shook her head. "I don't feel strong."
West rested a hand on her shoulder. "Most people don't."
The woman laughed quietly and then, the laughter turned into quiet tears... the kind that came when someone was exhausted from carrying too much pain.
West gently rubbed her back while whispering soft words of consolation in her ears.
Yelena leaned back with a calmer expression, looking slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."
West smiled. "Don't apologize."
