Thomas rested his hand on Jamie's shoulder for a moment. "Not exactly," he said hesitantly.
Emma jumped up and she headed towards the kitchen. "Why don't you two boys go talk and I'll finish up this tea, hmm?" To Thomas she mouthed, 'sorry'.
"It's okay, Mom," Thomas was quick to assure her, because he hardly blamed her for anything. "Let's talk in my room so we don't get my mother all worked up." The first time he had revealed why he was having Jamie stay with his parents, it was the only time in his life he had been sure his mother was going to hit him. She hadn't of course, but he had never seen her so mad before or ever again.
He held his bedroom door open and waited for Jamie to enter before closing it behind them. "Things were really hard when you were little," he started, and he hoped it didn't sound accusatory.