Erik's eyebrow raised at her assessment of him needing a massage. "I need ...something," he mumbled, not really for her to hear.
He watched her put the candles into individual bags and appreciated her thoughtfulness. She obviously knew what she was doing.
At the mention of animal crackers, he had to literally turn around to blink back the unexpected tears that pricked behind his eyes. He took a few deep breaths and wiped his eyes. He turned back around and gave her a shaky smile. "Sorry...my daughter loves animal crackers. And I'm missing her so much right now."