Seth studied her for a moment.
"Let me guess. Man troubles?"
Matilda let out a dry laugh.
"Oh, you're sharp. Should I give you a prize for figuring it out?"
Seth shrugged.
"There aren't many people in this city I'd call a friend. If you need someone to listen, I don't mind."
Matilda raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't take you for the type who goes after older women."
"It's not like that." Seth's voice was flat.
"Just courtesy. Besides, you remind me of my mother."
Her expression softened slightly, though her eyes stayed tired.
"Was your mother in the same line of work too?"
"Something like that." Seth looked away.
"She never really felt like a mother to me. But there's something about you two that give me the same feeling... The feeling of a woman who never got to become who she was supposed to be."
Matilda stared at him.
"Are you here to comfort me or make me feel worse?"
Seth didn't answer.
She sighed, pulling the unlit cigarette from her lips.
