i cried later, of course, because i always cry this time of the month, and because he was right and i was wrong for being mean. but before that, before, we were on the bed and smiling, and there was a descent of contentment, a wave of it settling over me, over the both of us. we wrapped our arms each around the other and i hadn't felt so peaceful in longer than i can remember. and later, when i was crying and thought he was asleep, he put a strong hand against my skin and all the peace came flooding back into me.

it's okay, you know.
all of it.
it is.