[ She's right, of course; Nelson can't argue that fact, nor is it even the first time someone's said it to him. He rubs his eyes with his hand slowly, lowering his head. ]

Maybe I could make him listen. [ He doesn't sound like he believes it. ] He should know that I'm willing to change, if that... if that's what it takes, I don't think he'll listen to you. He doesn't trust anybody, he gets especially stubborn with people he doesn't like.

[ He goes quiet a moment, then with tired curiosity: ]

Are you coming back?