She smokes about twice a week. Her friends tell her it’s too much, too often. But she doesn’t listen and doesn’t think she’s overdoing it.
I listen as they argue back and forth.
It’s sad. It’s just really sad. But what can you do? How can you tell someone that drugs don’t really answer anything? The thing is you can’t. After you’ve done your part of the talking, it’s up to her to decide what’s good for her. As much as you want to help change the world, change the way teens behave, change the way they deal with their depression, or anxiety, or day-to-day problems, you can’t just talk and expect to be heard. You just can’t expect that.
Her friend sits across from me and doesn’t look too happy. I can see the pain in her eyes, the kind you get when you know you can’t help your friend, the kind you get when you feel like you’re losing someone precious. She’s not mad; she’s just disappointed. She is disappointed that smoking is now turning into a habit.
I’m disappointed because I can only write about it.