Blacktail Deer Plateau riboflavin-flavored, non-carbonated, polyunsaturated blood

"Welcome," Junior replied automatically, then realized how flippant that sounded. "You're welcome," she corrected herself in a more intentional tone. "We'll be okay. Who needs him anyway, right?" She flashed him a quick, mostly humorless smile.

The youth was completely oblivious to any tension on his part, aside from the strong emotions stirred by their conversation. Not wanting to linger on that subject but also not wanting to just leave him here, clearly bereft and isolated, Junior tried to think of something else to talk about and the words, "Are you like my dad — you like both girls and boys? Or just boys?" She paused, wondering if that was a rude question. "You don't have to answer that," she added slowly.