[...How long is going to take for them to not fear Thursday nights, he wonders.

But back to the main point...]

Likewise, absolutely. And that is something I know will never change.

[He offers a slight smile as he straightens himself out a little bit.]

We can revisit this when the time is right. But for now...what do you say we visit with the others? We all have quite a bit of catching up to do, after all.