The man who never said anything

For years he was the one everyone called when something went wrong. School fees, funerals, hospital bills. He always answered, and he never said no.

At night he lay awake. By day he got shorter with the people he loved. He started drinking a little more each week, telling himself it was just to relax.

It was a friend who finally noticed. He did not give advice. He just asked, "How are you, really?" It was the first time in years anyone had asked and waited for the answer.

That conversation led to a clinic visit, and then to counselling. He is still the person people call, but now he also calls someone himself.