“I know. Sorry.” The kid sniffed hard, but the tears wouldn’t stop. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I bawled my first couple of times.” “You did?” “Yep, but if you tell anyone that I told you that, I’ll rip your nuts off.” “I won’t,” Duckers said through a wet laugh.”

“I know. Sorry.” The kid sniffed hard, but the tears wouldn’t stop. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I bawled my first couple of times.” “You did?” “Yep, but if you tell anyone that I told you that, I’ll rip your nuts off.” “I won’t,” Duckers said through a wet laugh.”

— Megan Bannen