This is an important story, thought Ellie, listening. She liked the idea of knowing David -- knowing what made him himself, the little memories, the little truths. Maybe that was why she shared so easily, too; it was offering something, but it was asking at the same time.
"I'm glad you did," she told him. "I don't know that I ever found mine. My calling."
Ellie had had ideas of what it might be when she was younger, but they were far from her reach now. She would never actually be a neurosurgeon, or a great philosopher hallowed in textbooks for all eternity. Truthfully, it was likely she wouldn't live long enough to turn thirty. Such is the world.
Still, she was happy in this moment. Regardless of any reasons she had not to be.
"If my parents are alive, they're somewhere in Botswana," Ellie giggled, shaking her head. David went on to mention his mother -- a figure she'd never heard much about -- and she grinned up at him, amused. "Oh, did you have a wild mother, too?"
There was silence again after that. Another turn in the hallway. Another mention of Elliot. It always ended up him being scared. Ellie found herself thinking of the reasons she had for being afraid, if that's what it was -- those unsaid things.
Her pace slowed, thinking of them, and by the time Ellie noticed she had nearly come to a stop.