"I'm fine," Joel says immediately, because what is he supposed to tell this girl? That carrying her suddenly brought him back in time twenty years, to the daughter he lost? That's not a burden she needs to have.

"I'm fine," he repeats, glancing back at her. "You see any friends? You can, uh. Stick with me until you find your people." If she has people. She's pretty new. Christ. He clenches his fists a moment, and takes another breath.