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James, You never actually said your name out loud to anyone, and I'm not entirely sure how I managed to find it out in the first place. I'm sure it was through the whisper chains you hear every so often in this cafe. You have a soft voice you know, it's barely audible when you say things, it's not quite what I'd call gruff or gritty, it just has this sort of toughness. It's as though you've steadily built up a defence mechanism in your voice so people don't ask you things you'd rather not answer. I have noticed that your hands shake when people ask you questions. You are usually fiddling with something - anything, your coffee mug, a pen, pieces of paper; anything. Though when you're being talked to your hands quiver constantly, you can't stop …show more content…

You had lingered outside for perhaps a minute, or at least that's what your wife said. They had all yelled out to you because it only took you that minute to decide to try to be a hero. You ran into that building, and I'd heard you found your sister, and had carried her outside. She didn't make it but you had at least managed to save her from dying inside the flames, she did from suffocation because of the smoke instead. She died in the arms of your wife instead of alone. Then you decided to run back in; when I heard this I was completely floored. Your wife sounded so devastated; it was as though by saying this she was reopening the grief she'd bottled up and saved. You did find your mother in the flames; but she told you to leave her, or that's what you told your wife anyway. She had convinced you to leave, but as you'd turned to leave the house collapsed in on itself. You were trapped inside like everyone …show more content…

"I want daddy to be happy, he doesn't laugh anymore." Your daughter is a delight, and for someone so young she cares so much. I need to remind you of her, of how many days you will miss of her growing if you are so self-involved. You need time to grieve I'm aware of that - but you do not need time to blame yourself because it is not your fault. It is not my place to say this, I know that. The pain you feel is all too real, but it will pass. The past has rocked you, set you off your course, but it will steady and you will find the path again if you try. This event can't hurt you anymore, nothing in your past can hurt you anymore - it is over. Your future, with your wife and daughter is bright, beautiful and unpredictable, like an ocean during sunset. It's time to start swimming in it - rejoicing in it. I know you will be alright James if you put your mind to it. Forgive yourself, move on. You may remember, always remember, but do not let it hinder you for too long. -

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