Zarina left an hour and a half ago, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about her every single minute.

Darren filled me in on the last few years of his life over dinner, then we reminisced over our college days during dessert. The whole time, however, I couldn’t stop thinking about my interaction with Zarina.

I saw her frustration, her raw vulnerability, and even her fear when Miriam and her dad yelled at her. She was being stubborn, yes, even obstinate, but they were pushing her into a corner. I can’t explain it, but I fucking felt the moment her fight or flight response was triggered. She was...