And it's visible to her, the moment when he decides to ask for her help, and it makes her throat ache again -- but for a better feeling this time, complicated and tangled and better.

"Of course," she says. And she straightens up to stand, sets her feet, and reaches to take his hand.

She's much smaller than he is, but not so much that she can't be a counterweight, pull with just enough force at just the right angle to help him to his feet.