Nate was struck dumb for a few seconds, then patted the back of Ben's head. "You little funny boy!"
"My name is Ben!" Ben argued.
Kylie pulled Ben over to let him sit by her side. "Ben, you're still a kid, and you don't understand what adults are doing."
Ben thought for a while, then said, looking at her, "I do. My father isn't a bad person. Mother Kylie isn't either..." He pressed his lips and added, "Neither is Mother Kylie's husband."
Fannie approached Kylie. "Since Ben doesn't want to go back, it's not a bad thing that he stays with us."
"But..." Kylie hesitated.
"Probably Tory also wants his son to stay with you," Nate said. "Ben's much safer with you than by Stephen's side."
"I agree with you this time." Fannie touched Nate's face.
Nate rubbed his face against Fannie's palm like a kitten.
"Do you need me to ask for leave for you as well?" Kylie asked Ben.
