The abrupt question sent Jack into a daze; he was unable to guess why his friend was asking him about the age difference. The boy who was currently feeling the cold breeze on his face was more unpredictable than the weather itself so trying to guess his wild thoughts would be a sheer waste of time. He asked, "What do you need that for?"

Ryan looked at him and said in a serious manner, "Catherine is five years younger than me."

Jack's face was still for a while as he tried to puzzle up the latter's words but it didn't take more than two minutes for him to realize what...