On a bench just outside, not very far from Diane’s cottage, I spot Theo sitting down with a yellow blanket wrapped around him. Marcia is sitting on his left, holding a breadstick too close to his nose, and then shrugging before taking a bite when he declines the offering. On his right is Athena; patting his back comfortingly like how one might do to a person who has just puked. There is genuine worry etched into her face.
All three of them look up once they see me approaching.
I give Athena and Marcia a grateful glance, and then focus my attention on the drained boy. “Theo, you alright buddy?” I ask the stupid question cautiously.
He shrugs, pulling the blanket tighter around his body and sniffing. His hair is lit up by the sun; shining like polished gold, but the tiredness in his eyes
