Who can say what's really brought about all this sincerity? Maybe it's the way Anna normally feels about this kind of thing. Maybe she learned long ago that she can be bitter about a lot of things, but being bitter about other people finding love is something that she can never reconcile for herself. Maybe it makes her feel like a disgusting person to go around resenting others' relationships whether she has one of her own or not.

Maybe none of that matters right now. She takes her hand back slowly and feels her heart-box thrum.

"I'm glad. I really am." There's so much appreciation in her eye. "That sounds pretty gay, and you know I mean that as a compliment. You know, if you want," and the sincerity continues, "I could teach you a song or two from back home. Stuff that she might like to hear."