"Good." Ned still hasn't looked up, but he's beaming now. All of sudden he feels lighter, as if he could walk on air, or float away entirely. "I do. Want to be. So that's good." Now that he is reassured he can laugh, very softly, at the two of them. So hopeful, so needlessly cautious. The absurdity is not lost on Ned, even as he is unable to pull himself free of his usual defenses and mechanisms.

"Then let's go," he says, leaning in to kiss Ginsberg quickly before opening the door for him. That short conversation has bolstered his spirits, and he feels ready to go anywhere, do anything.