NIRELLE

By the time we are done with breakfast, we lie down in bed; it is weird to eat breakfast and just do nothing.

"What was your childhood like?" His question catches me off guard. I look at him, tucking my hand under my face, and he mirrors my action. "The one before the Thamore mansion," he adds as if to correct himself.

"Well, I told you that Mom was poor and she owed a lot to feed us, but it was fun. I had a lot of friends and would play in the park all day until Mom came to pick me up ...