Taking a breath, he can concede that point. For all her prickliness, she's been incredibly forthcoming, and made no explicit demands of him in return besides "no bullshit." His ruminations are as captivating company as she is, but they'll still be there if he sidelines them a while. Joan won't.

Hap leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees.

"I died, or I was dying. In a field."