"HIM NEITHER," He says, watching idle as all she gets about her tea. He's never known normal. He never would.

He shakes his head, solemn and serious. "'Fraid motherfucking not. THERE'S GETTING CAREFUL AS TO NOT BE HURT AGAIN. There's keeping it all shut tight up until such things being to break. THERE'S MAKING TO SURVIVE OR JUST NOT DIE. But I ain't know nobody what don't know pain."

His words are all laced with unspoken apology.

"WAY I FIGURE, IT'S LIKE... you get your bones broke. SHIT HURTS. Don't make it hurt all less than as when you stub your motherfucking walk stubs though."