[Another valid point. Cornelia might not have been admonishing, but perhaps Jeremiah had been of himself. Being honest with her on this level is still hard. Sharing his woes evidently isn't so difficult, but allowing himself forgiveness for it takes a more concentrated effort than he'd thought.

So he looks to her briefly, then to the road ahead.]

Which, I'm not sure I can say. I'd been hoping the initial change of scenery would help, but perhaps we won't know until we arrive.

[Bars can often be good mood-changers... and sometimes bad ones, too. At least it takes a pinch more misery and a lot more alcohol to turn him into something like a weepy drunk, so the chances might be looking up.]