"Enough about me, though," Ryan said. "I know you've got those big, strong shoulders that can handle most problems laid upon them, but I'm done venting." He let the sparkle-shield fall so that Jay was free to noogie him if he so wished. "Let's talk about you, buddy. I don't get to see you enough." Truth be told, he didn't get to see most of his friends and family enough these days.

That needed to change.