For a second, I did think to take it like an insult. Not the fact that I was a kid, but maybe he meant it in the way that a hug was a childish thing to do, a childish way to try to make things better. I was way out on a limb here with attempting any kind of comfort, let alone physical comfort, for I felt, well, uncomfortable. The tiniest thing could set me off and on the defensive.

I pulled back so we both had breathing room -- a hug was a lot for me -- and shook my head. "I won't say a word, promise," I said, then gave him a slight, weak smile. "No one's interested in adults when they've got their own drama going on."