Running out of things to say around Abby is starting to become the norm. But something always hangs in the air between them after they stop, because they're not going to bother will the bullshit of small talk, and they're both too aware of the pain they'd be prodding into if they asked questions.

It's a weird sort of mutual respect, something unique to her, and Ellie doesn't know what to do with it. She glances up, at Abby's face, following the way she fidgets. She doesn't pick her fingers like Ellie does, but there's always a muscle working in her jaw.

At her question, Ellie glances back at the counter, blinking, frowning with she realizes what a mess they've made.

"Yeah," she says gratefully, heading for the water and the cloths, all the better to scrub up. "Or they're gonna think we got into it."

It's a stupid joke, but.