[Had she heard this at a better time, compassion may have come easier. But she's emotionally distraught, as usual, and a mess at learning this fine gem of news.

Claire sits back in her hair, playing with the ends of her hair with one hand while the other is clamped around her body.]

I went to the CES when he was there. We swam together and...one thing led to another. I should have known better, but [cynical smile] I guess I just don't know how to learn my lesson.

[If he presses for just what happened, she'll tell him.]