"I know how difficult it is. He was your father and you love him, of course. I don't think he meant malice by it, but the fact remains that you and your sister were forced to fend for yourselves long before you should have. It's a shame, all of it." If only he or Erin could have changed it for good. If only.

"I know that you feel the pressure to be fully grown now that you are of age, but I want one thing to be perfectly clear to you, Ruby. You can still come to me for help, of any kind. I could not support you then, but I will now. And always."