If it's all the same, we can keep walking, unless you need to do anything. We're nearly at the shelter - we can give them their supplies, after all.

[but she had shaken her head at the idea of him giving her distress. it was her own to bear up with, her own to resolve. this was going to happen one day, wasn't it? the past would return, the way it had for others she cares about. hers just wasn't so deeply wounding.]

Please, Professor - I'll go along with whatever you have in mind.