He's practical. Which I guess is close to wise. [ He sets the washcloth aside and takes her free hand in damp fingers. ] He taught me not to start something I didn't mean to finish. How to be kind. Not to come home after curfew on a school night.

[ The last is lightly teasing. When he speaks again, it's more serious. ]

My mom's the one who taught me that no matter how bad things seem, no matter how dark a moment gets, the galaxy is fundamentally a good place. There are people here who will fight with you. Including me and mine.