“Uh, Casimir, aren’t you hungry? Don’t you want to eat something? The food is really good. You’re a growing boy,â€? I said to him, trying to sound as casual as possible. His gaze penetrated into mine once more, in a way that made me squirm. It wasn’t because he frightened me, but because he intrigued me. Now, however, he worried me.
The handsome boy sighed deeply. “Thanks for asking. But I’m fine. I swear. I’m a picky eater. I brought vitamins along, anyhow,â€? he replied. Essie’s eyes soon showed deep concern as she heard what we were saying.
I saw her whisper something to him, and I believed it was a dose of tough love. She sounded caring yet dignified, and this was something I admired greatly. I strained my ears to hear what she was saying, and I could make out a bit of it. “…don’t hide. …I worry when…you are this way. …Listen, she knows. …There’s no sense hiding anything from her, because I deem she knows you just about as well as I do. …I won’t let you wallow in self pity and hurt yourself again.â€?