"You can talk to me any time. You always used to. I'd tell you to shut up sometimes, but I never meant it. I really, truly never meant it." All the times he'd been dismissive of Joe, the times he had been annoyed, they were haunting him now in a way he could have never anticipated. "You are allowed to do what you want. I don't mind, really."

He looked at the board and then turned back to Joe, trying that smile again. "Train is coming. We'll get a compartment and maybe we can catch some sleep, yeah?" Joe certainly looked tired. "Tomorrow will be a better day."