"Uh. No. No I...I made a mistake," he finally said, hoping it wouldn't shatter the image she had of him. He always hated how adults lied to children to protect them. He didn't want to do that with Maxine.
"I did get hurt in a lot of places," he confirmed. He swallowed trying not to think of how many places.
"You can see that?" he asked in surprise. "You can see where I'm hurt? I must look...pretty messed up in your eyes, huh?"
He huffed wishing Jo was here, anyone to let off the pressure of this intense little child, who felt so much and who he had no idea about, from seeing into him.
"I'm sorry that I crashed, Maxine," he finally said, sincerely. "It was a very VERY big mistake."