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It was an opportune time to put another log on the fire. He stood up and went to the fire. He stoked it with a poker and added another log. On his way back, he went around the other way and passed the sobbing Elena. He placed a kind hand on her shoulder. Something in him, the humanitarian, made him do it. He knelt before her, hand still on her shoulder and replied, "I know you didn't want this to happen........I know."
He then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her before standing up and taking his seat. He was, however, slightly closer. He wanted to help and was figuring out how.
"Radiation......injuries.....alcohol," he slowly stated, "I know of those. I've dealt with them before. Elena. Alone, each is terrible. Together, well, they're devastating but please, try to pull yourself together. No one here is being judgmental or issuing blame since no one here is perfect or blameless." There was a hint of a very faint smile as he was trying to be understanding to her.
