“Rocket,” I said in a soothing voice, “sweetheart, you’re hurting me.” He jerked back his hands and retreated in disbelief, as if astonished at what he’d done. “It’s okay,” I said, refusing to rub my throbbing arms. It would only make him feel worse. “It’s okay, Rocket. You didn’t mean to.” A horrified expression flashed across his face as he disappeared. I heard three words as he left. “He won’t care.”
