She takes the cigarette like it’s any other day, but there’s a tick of excitement in her for some shred of normalcy, especially in the midst of a conversation like this. Her first drag on it is long and deep, and the familiar burn comes with a near-instant relaxation in her muscles, one she feels everywhere but her iron grip on the railing between the cars. Strands of blonde hair escape her ponytail in the wind, and the look she gives Jesse is mildly bewildered, even in the face of his sweet (if unnecessary) concern.

“Yeah,” she says, as quickly as if it’s been startled out of her. “This just wasn’t the conversation I expected I’d be having.”

Kim pauses, lowering the cigarette momentarily, shielding it from the wind with her body. There’s a terrible dread in her that even nicotine can’t stave off. It’s not about their marriage; Jimmy’s drawn lines between her and his clients before. Especially around Lalo.

“Is he safe?”

In the future. In a time where he is working against the cartel.