Did she misread? She blinks at him, re-cataloging. "Granted," she says cautiously. "But I think it's good to try. I hope it's good to try."

She pauses a moment to consider the net outcome of the last few weeks of her life. At least one thing has been made much worse by their involvement, but other things are better now. "I'm writing a book," she says, because it's important to share your contributions. "About how to be good."