rkened hall, my heart p

icker, as if the walls were holding se

n my mind."Don't say

e modern design of the home. I observed as Samir's hand hover

s, I brac

med in through the enormous windows, illum

heir shelves, unopened. And in the center of the room, in an oversize

y swallowed up by the chair. He did not even atte

ep forward, but Adam

," he says, his voice level,

ck at him. "Has he al

s not said past a few sente

mo

gging his knees to his chest, his small fingers gripping the fabric of

xt to him, crouching down to his le

My voice is

le

e the way his shoulders tighten

r something else, is keepin

ve to talk to me. But I'd very

l no

d me, impatience ev

I told

nto the floor, drawing my knees up as if

flatly, attempting to keep my voice ligh

oy and placing it on the floor next to me. "She said I

ingers f

perceptible, but my

t out a sigh. "T

problem." I snapped, glancing at him with

rned stern. "And wha

eaking like he's some lost soul. Some bust

ominously. "And you ca

i, still crumpled over his chair.

n't said a word. And t

at one.

that, he

y was he asking me to stay for lunch? I watch

't moved. But

ger where I

...

big dark wood table, but only three of us occupied the space: Adam a

d at his food, obviously not interested. Adam barely touched his

at a time?" I suddenly burst out, shattering the

ould have sworn I detected a

breath. "Are you al

en I nee

ething unreadable in his eyes. Then

e work

er." I said, lif

m d

oom without a word, le

en." I sighed at the look

the door, his small hands c

sat there,

dad, don't you?

ust have been won

t feels." I smi

looked away from him, I simply stared. I saw him move his h

ch, but it w