There are no boxes tied up with pretty strings, ready for delivery or compartmentalization. The only boxes overflowing, jagged, crushed or water stained, were in her own head. People labeled and categorized for convenience, but life isn't convenient, isn't neat or likely to turn around and make itself presentable.

What's in public is meant for public consumption. The public; that which would consume a person whole.

For better or for worse? Chilton had asked that in a roundabout way. Are you going to make use of this? he said, in reference to The Grapevine and its liberal reimagining of the truth. Positive images, positive public relations.

Make yourself look acceptable. Make yourself easy to swallow.

"I didn't see bears until that mountain. There was a great big white one, with a black nose. I learned later it was probably a polar bear." Research that pays off. This is more than she's said at any point about Colorado, and it still says little. Annie tracks down her nightmares. She looks for insight into the things she faces. She studies.

She relates.

She doesn't fear: no, that's untrue. She fears a great deal of things. She doesn't fear Will, not as much as perhaps she should.

Her lips pull up into a small, small smile. "Haven't heard of graham crackers, either. Are they any good?"