He didn't want her to go. He didn't want the connection between them severed. He didn't want to be left alone in the car with a crying baby. He wanted her beside him, so he could lean sideways into her and she could stroke his hair and tell him she was his kid again. He wanted her in the passenger seat as he drove north and west, making jokes at the over the top billboards, sharing snacks and passing him energy drinks. He wanted her with him, but she was so far away, much too far to reach. "I love you too," he choked out. "I promise - I promise we're gonna be okay. I'll ca-call you, when we're safe."