Nate was struck dumb for a few seconds, then patted the back of Ben's head. "You little funny boy!"

"My name is Ben!" Ben argued.

Kylie pulled Ben over to let him sit by her side. "Ben, you're still a kid, and you don't understand what adults are doing."

Ben thought for a while, then said, looking at her, "I do. My father isn't a bad person. Mother Kylie isn't either..." He pressed his lips and added, "Neither is Mother Kylie's husband."

Fannie approached Kylie. ...