Elpis tries to shout him down. She actually has the louder, clearer voice. She reminds me that the odds are in my favor and that the cancer is more likely to stay gone than to come back. She notes my general good health, how quickly I healed from surgery, how well I am holding up under the onslaught of chemo. She waves travel pamphlets in front of me and tells me corny jokes to make me smile.