**Gaia**

In the car, Evangeline and I sit in silence for a while.

Finally, she speaks.

"That was unexpected."

"I know."

"He's trying very hard."

"I know that too."

She glances at me. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know." I look down at the garment bag in my lap. "Part of me wants to believe he's sincere. That he's really changed. That he regrets what he did."

"And ...