It finally happened, y’all

Bar regular called me on Monday, at first I freaked out and didn’t answer because why is he calling me?? He then sent a text, detailing why he was calling. It was my day off, I was thinking he prolly wanted a date and was too nervous to talk. But once I read the text, I called him back right away. One of his parents was not well and things had taken a turn for the worse, he had to leave the next morning and said he wanted to let me know incase he went silent on me, so I didn’t think he was just ignoring me. That level of communication meant a lot, it was not something I’m used to. I gave him a couple days and then texted him, saying he didn’t need to respond but I hope he was okay. He said thanks and he will reach out soon. Then he fuckin texted me a few hours later and said “you’re wonderful by the way”. I SWOONED. Anyway, I left him alone since I know how it is to deal with a parent dying. Last night, I got off work early again since it was fuckin dead. I sat at the bar with a couple of regulars and had a drink. If I had left, none of this would have happened. HE COMES IN. Didn’t tell me he had flown back in, but… he came looking for me. We just looked at each other and he sits down and tells me his parent died. I just hugged him and said, let’s go. So we left. At first we were gonna go get a drink but, he just led me to his office and we talked a bit. Then, well. Yeah. It was kind of really emotional as well. I had a feeling it would be. There was a lot of holding on my part, like making sure he felt.. safe? Idk. He has to leave again this week for the funeral. Also I fucking KNEW the guy would be good at going down, I had that inherent feeling lol