[She looks at him for a moment, head tilting slightly. Then she grins, laughing, as some of the dark mood dissipates.]

After all that, she's the thing you're going to notice first? [Her mirth eases, but the grin stays.] Um, right at the beginning of summer. I don't know that I've been talking about it much, but she's... a good influence. I'd be in a lot worse place without her. [A beat, and her expression settles into something calmer but warmer.] She needs me almost as much as I need her, but that's okay. It's... nice to have someone that trusts you enough to lean on you, you know?