Wheeling Gull Isle she’s a 10 but…

I invited him and his mom—my older sister, Fennec—to visit us here, he told her.

He thought about their predicament a moment and decided against sharing it, lest he bring down the room any further. But then Heda reminded him he could tell her anything. His eyes caught hers and he let out a breath, then nodded.

I know, he said quietly, and I’ll tell you more about the drama they’re dealing with… soonish. But right now, I kinda just wanna enjoy your company for a little bit. And maybe, he continued in the next breath, we could talk about this? and motioned between the two of them with a little smile.