"I know." No, he didn't, but he knew he didn't. He rewound and clarified. "I understand what you're saying." For a lot of reasons, actually.

That was level as could be, as he discarded two of his five cards and drew from the deck. Then he stopped and looked at Sandy.

"We all have our demons and ghosts. How you choose to live with yours is up to you. Besides, I'm pretty sure Charles has enough sense not to go messing around with that." Not unless he were cornered and desperate and Jesus Christ why was his mind sliding off toward Jean, constantly? He was seeing connections that weren't really there.

He shook his head sharply, trying to shake it off.

"I'll just keep supplying coffee."