"I feel more like twenty-six," Gideon said with a shrug, picking at the crust on the bread. He pulled a bit off and ate it, shaking his head. "No wife, no kids. That I know of. One brother. He died the same night. I keep hoping he might turn up around here, you know?"
He looked at her carefully, then put a hand on her arm. "There are people who care, even if there aren't many with experience in this whole thing. It's pretty new territory for everyone, I'd imagine."
He finally picked up his spoon, then shook his wand from his sleeve to warm the stew again. "If you ever need an ear, you can give me a yell, you know. I mean, you're Al's family, so..." He bit his lip, then shrugged, giving her a wry smile. "She was pretty special to me once."