GABRIEL

After my little talk with Pop, I was still nowhere near close to being calm, but I was able to speak without grinding my teeth. "You can call him, let him know she's fine, but it's going to be a while before I can get to him. I've gotta get back to her; she should be finished with her bath by now."

I started to leave to go back to her. I've been nervous the whole time away from her, something else that's new. I don't do nervous energy.

"By the way, ...