“i am alive, i’m o.k.” but you have still been hit by a cement truck.
i know your question is probably sincere, but i also know you do not really want to hear the whole thing and that you are afraid i might start to tell you. you are nervous about the potential for tears and about how you should respond. you have other things on your mind. you know you cannot help. you are uncomfortable. not only that, you are afraid-afraid of provoking an emotional scene and being helpless to do anything to really help. afraid i might lose it badly and not stop at your particular comfort level. the 