He thought of explaining to her how he was trying to do better. He could say, Sometimes I feel like a new plant, like I just sprouted from the dirt, like I’m trying to stretch up to the sun. Instead what he said was “I’m trying to figure out what you get out of this. Is it some kind of rich-kid extreme sport? You bored?” She snorted laughter. “No. I’m the exact opposite of bored.” “What, then?” “Something was taken from me a number of years ago. Something precious.” She gave him a flinty smile. “I mean to have it back.”
