62| Forgiveness

On a regular Wednesday afternoon, as Nelson sat in a familiar coffee shop lost in his thoughts, a familiar voice interrupted his solitude.

"Is that really you, Nelson?" The voice was warm and filled with genuine surprise.

Nelson looked up, and there, standing before him, was Mark – his best friend from college, a person he hadn't seen in years.

"Mark? Wow, it's been ages. What are you doing here?" Mark was the only one who had the key to making Nelson act like a normal guy.

Mark, with a friendly grin, pulled up a chair. "Just passing through. I heard there's a great coffee place around here, and then I stumbled upon you."

The two friends exchanged pleasantries, catching up on the years that had passed since they last shared a laugh or a conversation.

As the chatter settled into a comfortable silence, Mark glanced at Nelson with a knowing look.

Mark: "So, how's life treating you, Nelson? You seem a bit... weighed down."

Nelson, a bit surprised by Mark's perceptiveness, hesitated befor