While she got along with most people, this was different. Maybe she was sick and feeling a bit fragile, but somehow talking to this young man just felt easier than anything had felt in a long time.

"Thank you for staying with me, Cole," she murmured softly. "I'm going to close my eyes, but I'm not sleeping. You can keep talking, if you want to. Or walk away, if you need to. I won't fuss either way."