Of course she leans closer with absolute seriousness. Of course she manages to school her expression until he's finished speaking.

More than anything, however, she's immensely regretting that her life and choices hadn't led to her being the sort of person who carried confetti in their pocket for just such occasions.

"I hope you won't be offended, doll, but you really do have to hold onto that. You wouldn't survive another thirty-eight years as a woman."