And I am telling you, Ed, that I am giving you permission to take me... [He searches Ed's face a moment, a look of childish hurt knitting his brow.] ...but I'm just making a fool of myself, aren't I?

[He doesn't wait for the answer and gently rolls off him, just like that, hiding his face as he lies back. Making its return is a very familiar urge to disappear through the floor.]

I'm sorry. [He says from behind his hands, wincing.] I... had assumed we were on the same page.