"Your mom would be so proud of you," she adds.

I smile.

Puna purrs in my head.

"We'll let you get back to the kids," Ella says, then looks at me, "Where's Leo?"

My smile fades a bit, "I said some things that hurt him. He hasn't come back," I explain.

"Give him some time; talk to him in the morning," she says and turns to Kevin, "Come on, honey," she says, though I can still see the pain in her eyes.

Ella walks out ...