Tapping my lip, I tried to figure out another explanation. “Oh! Think of plucking an apple from its tree and then choking on its fruit. Is it the tree’s fault because it grew the apple? Or is it yours for eating too quickly?” “The tree.” An unexpected laugh slipped from me at his quick response, and I rolled my eyes. “Zee . . .” “You laughed.” His mouth twitched. “It was pretty.”

