Zachary's expression remained unchanged, but from where he stood, he had clearly seen Tyler hugging me.

"Uncle Zack told me to ask myself… if I could have some ice cream."

Danny hesitated, realizing he had walked in at the wrong moment. His voice lowered.

I forced a smile, but no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't come out right.

In the end, with an expression probably worse than crying, I told Danny. "You can have a small one, but not ...