He patted my shoulder once more and turned to leave. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you in a few hours.” “I’m not a child,” I said with a wry smile. He fixed me with a serious look as he paused at the door. “You are my child, Tristan, and I won’t hear otherwise.” He closed the door behind him, and I stared at it, my eyes suddenly blurry. I blinked and looked away. Uncle rarely said such things.
