28 Red m & m’s
“I bought you some m & m’s,” I tell Thom and take the place next to him on the front step. He is open-mouthed for a moment, looking like I have just handed him a bar of gold and then smiles brightly.
“I love m & m’s. Thanks.” It is pure joy beaming out of him and although I still feel angry with him about last night, it makes me proud in the same instance.
He tears open the packet and unashamedly begins his ritual of eating them in a certain order. I have only watched this from afar several times and I can’t help but stare. Now that I am so close to him, I can see the chocolate melting into his fingerprints, the m & m’s brand on each sweet, hear the crunching of the shells and nuts under his teeth.
He has eaten four when he offers me the pack. Despite holding it towards
