Re: Eric & Gael
"I appreciate that." Gael was more perceptive than he gave himself credit for. And Eric's tendency towards protection wanted to tell him that he hadn't internalized the event. It had made an impression, but Tarrytown was his home and its people the only stable extended family he'd ever known.
The gnawing idea that this could end badly started to subside with the light pressure of Gael's hand on his check. Maybe he could let him hope that this wouldn't end in tragedy. If anything he'd move someone else on their way to healing for another relationship.