"So what, you're saying there's two of me now? One of me here, one of me there?" he asked, trying to follow what she was talking about. The familiar sensation of being completely confused was coming back again. And here he'd thought he was done with that for maybe a little while. "Well, that's news is certainly something a person I know would just love hearing."

Still, there was a level of relief that came with the very thought. It meant, at least, he hadn't abandoned anyone.