Careful

"Do you know what they're like?"

"Well...not much, no." She sighed, "His name is Frank, he's...15, I think. He's not had it very easy, so you'll need to be nice to him, love."

I mocked offence, "I am always nice to the kids that stay here."

"Yes, I know. But Gerard, you're going to have to be really...careful, with Frank. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I think so..." I replied.

I thought back to what my mum had said, I need to be careful around Frank. But why? Why careful? He needed to be handled with care, I didn't understand, I really didn't, but I would oblige. I'd be careful.

-----

Gerard's mum fosters kids, and Gerard's cool with that, usually. But when Frank, a scrappy little ass, comes to live with them, Gerard isn't all that keen on the idea. But eventually, he'll warm to Frank, in more ways than one.