[He nodded his head, and it certainly seemed similar to the stories that Henry had told him about his own hauntings of multiple people. Likely no coincidence.] So you helped him out and let him be free of some of his grief, huh? I think you should start a therapy business for parents of dead kids at this rate. [It was meant as a tease, of course, but his tone was flat and struggled to find the correct joking intonation.

His thumb continually ran over the rock as if he were soothing himself with it. That wasn't too far from the truth.] I used to take it out every night I was on the desert and stroke it. It reminded me of you, and it was suddenly less lonely out there. [He smiled at her, his serious moment persisting until he cleared his throat and forced himself to make a show of tucking the rock away again. His little keepsake.]

I promise you'll be impressed! You might even wear my creation too!