Tears were running onto my nose and dripping on his shirt. Seeing him in such a fragile state just tore me apart. I leaned over and hugged him. All he could muster was to lean his head on my shoulder.

"I love you so much, Nancy"

"I love you more," I told him.

"How? I'm just a mess!"

I pulled back and stroked his hair. "I love you because you care, Paul. I love you because you have a tender heart" He smiled, tears still running down his face. He closed his eyes and drew several deep breaths. I wiped his tears with my thumb and he looked up at me with his big brown eyes.

"How do you do it?" he asked.

"What?"

"Put up with me and make me feel wanted"

"I love you, that's how," I told him.