Stone Circle Well, I've been afraid of changing

She felt him closing up again—she could almost see his stony exterior closing over him as he cleared his throat and stood up. It sounded like the pups were taken care of, which was good, but she could tell her brother was far from okay. Maybe she shouldn't have jumped right into take control and find ways to help mode, but like Sia, she had trouble just letting herself feel things; she needed to feel like she was in control, and she wanted to help him feel the same way. But maybe if she had just been there for him, he wouldn't have felt the need get his emotions under control.

She reluctantly followed, coming up beside him. Are you sure, Sia? she asked hesitantly. We don't have to do this right now. Of course she wanted to see the puppies, but his whole family had been through so much; she didn't want to add more stress to the mix.