"Why? Because you're a grown up and we're all expected to adult? That's not an automatic Get Out of Jail Free Card on the tough shit in life. In fact, we're more aware of the tough shit when we're adults. A child's death is never not going to be tough shit," Melody told him softly. She had no idea how he did the job he did, but she knew to have gotten to where he was, he was a special sort of person delivered to this world for a purpose as it was.

She rubbed his back and didn't release the hug to kiss his cheek, letting it linger. "Boy or girl? How old?" she asked, wanting him to know he could talk about it if he needed. "Or we can just eat, or shower, or sleep. You give the green light, babe."