She felt paralyzed, I could hear it in her voice 

she 

stumbled over her text, asking if she could call 

Shaking 

Wavering 

I could hear her 

Tightrope vocal chords

Over the line 

I did not tell her I felt the exact same way. 

That I had been crying most of the day. 

That I, too, could barely leave the couch. 

I gave her advice that I knew I should take. 

Gave her courage that I barely believed myself.