She leaned on me and cried, speech broken like her heart. I was her rock, but she needed softness, too.

Sympathy was all I could offer. Struggles for empathy rendered me near indifferent.

I embraced her, yet my heart felt nothing, still fearing heartbreak. Just a shoulder to cry on.

Jason realizes the faults in his stories after he submits them. His discouragement with his work upon further reflection caused him to pursue a career in computer science, with writing on the side.