I attempt to smile. “Does everyone know that Johnny is . . .” “Interested in you? No. I don’t think they care as much about his interests as they do teasin’ him from time to time. Nobody is going to force you to give him anything. That’s not how we work around here. You make that boy work for your attention if you so choose to, or tell him to get lost. Either way, you’ve got my support.” “Thank you,” I say, and I mean it.
