I think Mom guessed the same thing at the same time I did. She gasped, one hand reaching toward the young man. He actually backed up a step, gaze dropping to the floor, a twisted and uncomfortable look on his face. Sassafras understood it the moment we did.

"It's not my fault." So odd to hear that voice out of a human mouth. His whole body tensed, sneakered feet shuffling on the floor. My brain flickered to a million questions, one of them asking where he'd found clothes. I ...