I chewed my lip and nodded. Because I really didn't know what she was going through, I had looked online for some helpful information. I understood that most smokers who eventually quit went through this. They would relapse and it normally took several tries before they could finally give up the habit entirely. I knew she probably felt despair in that moment, and I wanted to be supportive.
"Come here," I said softly, spreading my arms.
She got up from the couch uncertainly, but approached and let me hug her. When she was in my arms, I held her to me tightly and ran my right hand up and down her back. She sighed into my chest and then wrapped her arms around my lower back, returning the hug.
"I love you, Gwynne," I murmured into her hair. "I always will, no matter what. I understand it's
