the law of life

There was that law of life. So cruel and so just. That one must grow or else pay more for remaining the same. –Norman Mailer
He put his cool hand on her cheek again. “I am worried about you,” he said quietly. And looking at his face, she could never again question whether they had really become friends. Pg. 227

There were so many things she wanted to say to him. So many shades of the words thank you. So many routes to get to an apprehension of love. Not that kind of love. This kind of love. Any kind of love, really.
She wanted to say these things to him, to make him understand her feelings and also to make him know that though this thing between them was fragile and strange, he was safe.
But it was too late. He was already gone. Pg 233