Stone Circle after the thaw

Ezekiel hadn't gotten very far, and he heard every word that the boy spoke very clearly. It made him pause, and for a moment he saw himself from the outside. He must've seemed such an awful man, rude even to children. He used to be happy once, Adeline had been his little buddy, he'd smiled and played with friends. What was he now, was he still that youthful male. He was still handsome, and youthful, and strong, but life had taken a lot out of him, his eyes were older than he. With a sigh he turned around and trotted back towards the pups with a much more open posture.

I'm sorry, I was rude. That was not my intention. He explained, looking everywhere but at the younger kids.