[ No. Daniel agrees; Charlene isn't a tree because people aren't as simple as that. When nature falls sick it curbs the infection and dies off quickly, but things either survive or wither and die. Clean-cut. Most people, when they get ill, never seem to notice until it's heavy and thick and suffocating — until they evolve and adapt around it. It's a messy buisness, people. Turnips are much easier to take care of. ]

I'm beginning to second guess your definition of better, [ he says, swallowing his tea. His hand reaches to brush away a streak of soil (when did that get there?) off the table, the back of his hand following the grain of the wood.

Satisfied, Daniel fixes her a look and smiles crookedly. ]

I thought gallivanting around with the extended family was supposed to fit the definition of better?