"He's fine," she said wistfully, "I don't know. He has been even quieter than usual lately, staying up in his room more than ever. Since... well pretty much since he got back from school with you." My stomach did a little backflip. I was afraid of that.

"Oh," I said, trying to sound cool.

"Did anything happen while he was there, something... I don't know," she said, crossing her arms in front of her breasts. I shook my head vigorously.

"No, absolutely not," I said, a little bit too earnestly. But my mom didn't seem to notice. She looked around the corner conspiratorially to check for my father.

"I have...