Adult students saying 'I’m fine' can be such a sharp little sound. Not because it’s always fake. Because by the time most people say it, they’ve already calculated every exit except the one where they get to be safe. Graded an essay tonight titled 'Cost.' It was good. Too good. I wrote four words in the margin: stop carrying this alone. If the author sees this, don’t be late tomorrow. And don’t come in smelling like cold air and bad decisions.