I'll be there when you wake up

We talked for a while longer, our conversation drifting from one topic to another, both of us avoiding the sensitive topic. She told me about the little things that had made her smile, and I listened, savoring the sound of her voice, the way she laughed, the way she made everything feel a little bit brighter, even in the darkest of times.

But as the hours wore on, the exhaustion in her voice became more apparent, and I knew she needed to rest, even if neither of us wanted to end the call.

"Kristen," I said gently, interrupting her mid-sentence. "It's really late. You should get some sleep."

There was a soft hum of agreement on the other end of the line, followed by a reluctant sigh. "I know," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "I just… I don't want to let you go yet."