"Plus," Summer pointed out, "if you really wanted to, you could always deflect with the plausible deniability that that's just art, you know? Fiction, exaggerated, or whatever, although I don't think anyone who really pays attention to you when you're up there would really believe that. You always feel the most comfortably....you, when you're up there, even if it's uncomfy, you know?"

There was a faintly wry smile.

"The stage at Caritas already misses you up there, man. Although I will say, Liliana did put up a good show last week to fill the void. Very different vibe, though, that's for sure."