"Oh, I like her, too. She's really smart and also keeps telling me I don't eat enough?"

Steven actually trips a little when trying to follow, and says, "Oh, yes, okay, sitting down is probably a good idea. I keep getting distracted by you, just right there." He drops onto the bench, allowing her to relinquish one hand so she can do the same, but only the one. He's not letting go yet, half out of a certainty that it will help the tether firm up more if they stay in contact, and half because he just plain doesn't want to let go.

"It feels like-- like-- Marc. Kind of. Except outside. You know? Like how sometimes I can feel what he's feeling even if he's not saying anything, or how I can just tell he's there, looking over my shoulder in a way, except you're you and not him."