Produced by the I Lab at W-B-U-R, Boston.

Welcome to a special

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Kind World. I'm Andrea Aswahue.

And I'm Yasminammer. This week we've got a real treat for our listeners,

a story of kindness, compassion, and connection from W-B-U-R and the New York Times Modern

Love the partners. And then there

are the people who aren't any of those things, but who change our lives anyway.

Emily Robito's essay is about one of those. change our lives anyway.

Emily Robito's essay is about one of those people.

It's read by Lake Bell, who has starred in It's Complicated, In a World, and Wet Hot American

Summer.

You can see her now in Bless This Mess on ABC.

No one goes into a move expecting to fall for her mover.

I was no exception. This was back in October 2001 when people advertise their

services by taping flyers to lamp posts among signs for the 9-11

missing. That's where I found Derek's number, which I called in

secret while my boyfriend was getting sloshed at whatever Brooklyn Dive sold the cheapest drinks.

We were being evicted from our apartment, a third floor walkup over a check cashing store. My boyfriend, normally a sad drunk, had trash the place. Our

landlord was wise to sever ties with him.

I was too insecure to do the same.

He was my high school sweetheart and best friend, but living together was wearing me out.

I decided to move in with a girlfriend.

...