[It's all he can do not to flinch when she starts crying. Not really what you're supposed to do when somebody gets upset, he knows that. It's not that she's an emotion worker, not exactly. Or it's not just because of that. It's a knot of emotions, unsafe; emotions, changed; emotions, dangerous from inside and out, the slap of a gloved hand across his face, sharp nails digging into his cheek, and crying and crying and crying and--]
[But.]
[There is also, he thinks, Zane, and there are people like Zane who prove that what you can do is not the same as what you are. That you don't have to be a criminal just because you can do something proscribed as criminal, and you certainly don't have to hurt people.]
[His mother is a nightmare, a caricature of a worker, a self-made monster. Daneca is on a plane wholly separate from Shandra Singer.]
[Now it's just a matter of making himself believe it. Not just the logic, but the heart of it.]
[Gingerly, he pushes her hair out of her face and behind her ear.]
Just 'cause it's your mess doesn't mean you have to deal with it alone.
spam
[But.]
[There is also, he thinks, Zane, and there are people like Zane who prove that what you can do is not the same as what you are. That you don't have to be a criminal just because you can do something proscribed as criminal, and you certainly don't have to hurt people.]
[His mother is a nightmare, a caricature of a worker, a self-made monster. Daneca is on a plane wholly separate from Shandra Singer.]
[Now it's just a matter of making himself believe it. Not just the logic, but the heart of it.]
[Gingerly, he pushes her hair out of her face and behind her ear.]
Just 'cause it's your mess doesn't mean you have to deal with it alone.