He's in pain a lot of the time.

He doesn't like to show it, but he has become concerned about feelings.

He still writes the letter. But he'll let it sit a day before he mails it.

A pain stabbed my heart as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world

But you know, my mom having to go to the hospital seven times... like passed out because of pain... I wouldn't come home and sit with my family and be with my dad - I'd call someone up and... I'd go and get obliterated drunk and I'd go, like, on two-week benders.

I asked her if she was in any pain. She signaled no.