“Do you want to read a story together before I head out to see Uncle Julian?” “No,” Nico says with a rush. The sharp sting of rejection doesn’t deter me from trying again. “Ellie told me it would be nice for me to practice my braille.” A look of sheer panic flashes across his face. “Why?” “Because I’m not very good?” He releases a long breath. “Oh.” I chalk his unusual reaction up to him being anxious about spending time around me. I grab the book on his nightstand. “What do you say?” He shakes his head. “I don’t want to practice with you.”
