I went to Africa, while I was "dead". [Actual airquotes, even with the bottle in her hands, before she takes a long drink.] They were great kids, even the ones who'd been in the hospital for years. Used to drag me out to go swimming even though--

[Even though talking was a struggle, even though she flinched every time someone touched her, even though the sound of a car backfiring would make her scream.

She takes another swig.]

One of the first times I talked to my best friend, I told her about how daddy dearest used to lock me in the closet when he was mad. And she was, you know, appropriately upset on my behalf, but when I asked what her dad would do, she told me he'd shoot her.

[Why is she still talking?

She just looks at Saul, hands spread in a sort of what can you do? gesture.]

All I could do was laugh.

[Because how could she compare being shoved in a closet to being shot. And what else can she do but tell herself that someone has it worse.]