He inhaled slightly, staring at the floor. "My mother... used to sing a little, too. Not well, just. Stuff she'd hear at the club she worked at. There was this one song she liked, because it was popular at the time. She used to... sing it, when I was small enough I needed to be put to bed. A lot of the stuff that was popular, I don't remember at all, but that one... It just makes me think of her, mostly."

A soft sigh. "She wasn't perfect. I know she didn't want me. But she still tried anyway, just... because. She made time. She cared, in spite of everything. Those little moments stay with you. You're- you're really lucky... to have someone like Stolas, for a parent. Even if he isn't perfect... he really cares."