"You seem to assign a particular weight to that, though. And you know that I'm your friend. You call. I come. To me -- it doesn't matter, except as it affects your happiness here. But it matters to you. And it suddenly matters more after you find out that you'll be seeing your ex-husband more often. And now you're underscoring your difference by talking about what your teachers would think of you."

Cooper is speaking quietly and evenly. His hands are clasped in his lap as he leans forward, elbows resting on his knees.

"Moiraine, I think your feeling is real. I know mine is. And I know you're not playing any Game of Houses with me. But I worry about what the timing means."