[Sure, it’s because of the alcohol. Let’s go with that. The way Stephen scoffs at the remark and takes a long pull of his drink, feeling the burn all the way down, is telling. Then—]

There wasn’t much to tell. [Which probably isn’t wholly true. Maybe Stephen just keeps personal tidbits closer to his chest than most.] Her name was Christine. She’s a doctor, too; we worked together in the same hospital. That’s how we met before I became a sorcerer.

[During the time in his life when he was more self-centered, more controlling, more focused on his rising fame and reputation than to give a flourishing relationship the attention it needed to grow.]

It was an amicable breakup. [It hurt a little.] We’re still friends. I, uh, met another version of her, actually, while I was hopping around the multiverse.