It's a striking statement, one Alana commits to memory to write down in a moment. If that's all it takes to fill that role in Abby's life — even if she only means it as a joke — then that says a lot about how she's been raised.

"That's a lot of responsibility," she says. Holding out the clipboard with the confidentiality information on it, she takes her seat a moment later. "Having to take care of yourself like that." She wants to press on, but at this point, she knows she has to follow the script, so to speak. "I take it you've seen this a couple times before. You know the drill. Everything and anything you say in here will be held in the strictest confidence. Legally and morally, I'm beholden not to repeat a word. With, of course, the exception of anything that indicates that you are a danger to yourself or others. Given that you live alone, the conditions regarding child and elder abuse aren't exactly applicable."