"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the waters of the womb," Tommy quotes. Apparently he did retain some things from school. "Supposed to meant the bonds you make are more important than those forced on you."

But yeah, it really doesn't help. Instead he's going to just listen. Which is nice. He loves that part, the listening. And he wants to curl up like that. Listen to people he could have had as a family.

"I never had grandparents. Or if I do, I don't know them. Frank and Mary don't talk about their parents."