[He'd tell her he understands Joel's behavior. He had a little boy, once, and he never talks about him, or the kid's mother. It hurts too much to talk about, and so he doesn't, and the longer he went the fewer people knew about them, and the easier it got to just move on with his life. To forget that deep scar on his soul.

But she keeps going, and he swallows his words. Sometimes people remain in the past; but the people left behind don't have to enjoy it. He can respect that. He can understand that. He's been left often enough. He's keeping it up for her, even though he desperately wants to just pull her in for an embrace or taunt her so she can punch him and get it out that way.]

You know what- you're damn right. Fuck him. Fuck that guy for not following through on what you was tryin' to do. And fuck him for not talking to Ellie about you. You deserved a hell of a lot better than that.