Last night, I sat here on my bed, laptop on lap, as usual. Thinking, not typing. Thinking that I surely had lost J in the letter I'd sent. I was content with what I had written and that I had sent it. Nevertheless, I felt sad about the loss of another friendship. For reasons as varied as Crayola colors, many have fallen away these last few years. If my expression followed my thoughts, I probably was frowning.

The phone rang. It was her.

She apologized for not calling sooner, thanked me for the letter, said she'd realized herself shortly before she received it that it was time for a change. We chatted for about an hour, a conversation sprinkled liberally with laughter and talk of getting together soon.

I believe what she says, probably because I believe in her. I hope her faith in herself is just as strong.

I hung up and glanced in the mirror. My expression had indeed followed my thoughts this time. I was smiling.