Oh? That's awfully pragmatic of you, calling a lost life a "failure".

[ That statement is punctuated by a little wave, careless and seemingly dismissive: as though he's shooing off any accusatory insinuations that might come along with his words. ]

If we're looking to be strictly utilitarian, you'd be right. If you tell yourself that the weight of another life has nothing to do with yours, it's quite easy to look a cadaver in the eye and tell yourself, 'next time'.

[ A little exhale. ]

Was your grandmother a doctor?