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“Raphael is a nibblet?”

“And their younger sibling, Thaddeus.Although Thaddeus proclaims to the world that he’s a boy.He’s learning not everyone works under the same paradigm.”

“Ah.”I didn’t really see.But I wanted to see.How could a child know they were the wrong gender?Or not any gender.Because that appeared to be a thing as well.

“How did your appointment go?”

I glanced around.

He winced.“Sorry.I wasn’t?—”

“It went fine.Everything’s fine.”I didn’ttrulycare if everyone knew I’d gone to a shrink.

Okay…maybe I cared a little bit.But I didn’t feel the shame some people might associate with getting help.I needed help.I might fight against it…but I needed it.

Jeremy looked around.“You feeling overwhelmed?”

I wanted to bristle.That I didn’t need him looking out for me.Except I kind ofwasoverwhelmed.I was facing more people than I had in a very long time.

“Why don’t we walk home?”

Home.Did he mean his home, my home, or just Hummingbird Lane in general?“What about your sister?”

He chuckled.“My sister is quite capable of finding her own way.She’s got a key to my place if she needs to get inside.Otherwise, she’ll just take the kids and drive home.”

“Do you need to saygoodbyeto them?”

He cocked his head in a way I was finding endearing.“Yeah, I should.Let’s get up first.My knees are killing me.”

I didn’t believe him, but I needed to get up because sitting on the ground wasn’t a flattering look

Jeremy rose graciously, then surreptitiously offered me a hand.

I worried I might pull him over, but his grip proved strong, and he was able to get me up easily.Better than the hands and knees approach I would’ve had to take.That inelegant mess was the reason I never got down on the floor with Wally—even when we were alone.Instead, I coaxed him onto the couch for cuddles.Or threw the ball, which he was slowly learning to return.He was making progress.

And so was I.

Jeremy stepped away to give both his nibblets hugs.

Raphael stared at me for a long moment.Almost like they could see right through me to my soul.

Hold your ground.They’re just a kid.

In the end, Jeremy kissed Marcie on the cheek and made his way over to me.

Then we headed home with Wally.

Chapter8

Jeremy

“Wally is truly a remarkable dog.He was brilliant.Just...perfect.”I grinned as the pooch eyed me.Almost like he didn’t believe I could be so effusive.And he wasn’t wrong in his skepticism.I wasn’t used to heaping praise on anyone, let alone a canine.

Well, maybe Raphael and Thaddeus.I was capable of complimenting them even when they might not be entirely worthy.The marker incident last year came to mind.Thank God for steam cleaning.

“Yeah.”Phillip said the word quietly.

“What’s wrong?”I cocked my head.