"How very lovely," he said.

Joseph meant it, he did, but there was no doubt that his capacity to truly find anything lovely was terribly diminished. He had little interest in movies and music, though authors were storytellers of a sort. Perhaps he could have her write a book for him, a new story that was only his. Yes, yes, that is what he'd do.

"I'm sure that we kind find a way for you to make use of your talents. It would be a terrible waste otherwise."