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“Oh, no Of course not I’hly and turning the faucet back on

“Well…why? For what?”

“It’s a tad complicated”

“I can follow along,” I prodded

“Of course Well…my brother drohen he o years old, and ht Terribly distraught She couldn’t function for a while, so ent to live with my aunt for a couple of years while my mom healed” His matter-of-fact tone was quintessential Asher He recited events, gave facts, neatly dispensing of any ee

But daet over that kind of trauma?

I shut the water off again and pulled him close “Jesus, Ash I’m so sorry”

Asher pushed out ofup at me in confusion “Why?”

“Because that’s so…sad”

“Yes, but it was over twenty years ago We’re all right now”

“But…” I furrowed my broanted more info, but I could practically feel an invisible shield falling into place “How old were you when it happened?”

“I was three and a half I don’t reuilty about that so when he was around, and I didn’t like that I have a terrible aversion to tears”

“Oh”

Asher picked up aand a dish towel “Don’t be sad forpart of my family history and no doubt it’s influenced who I a Mywell now She’s quite inspirational, really”

“Yeah, I’m sure she is She seems very cool”

“She is She’s marvelous”

“Right” I narrowed my eyes as I cocked my head “But that doesn’t explain why you overcompensate”

“It’s necessary I’m the only one left And I’ times At least, that’s what she told me”