““Your brother’s been really nice.” I frowned. She explained further, “He told me he’s there for me, too. Or you. He said you’re all prickly on the outside, but that’s to keep others from hurting your soft gooey inside. You’re all bark, but no bite.” “Negative. There’s bite. A lot of bite. I’m a rabid dog, actually.” She laughed, wiping at her eyes again. “He said you’d say that but that I shouldn’t believe you. You might snarl at him, but not me, not if I’m hurting.” I kicked at the ground. Why did I feel like crying?””
