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silence, Finn studying the painting of Ginny Greenteeth and the older Wylltsons studying Finn, before Aiden came back, his hands still dripping.
    "How'd you break your arm?" Aiden asked.
    "Fell out of a tree," Finn said.
    "What were you doing in the tree?"
    "Being foolish."
    Aiden poked the satchel. "Is that a man purse?"
    "It's my kit."
    "What's in it?"
    "A change of clothes," Finn said. "An extra pair of socks, the sort of things you need when you travel. Do you want to see?"
    "Yes." Aiden reached for it, but Finn caught his arm. "Dry your hands first."
    Aiden dried his hands on his shirt while Finn set the satchel down and opened it. Aiden dug into it and pulled out a pair of clean socks, then a roll of duct tape.
    "What's this?"
    "Duct tape. It's the most useful stuff on earth," Finn said seriously. "You can fix anything with duct tape."
    "Not animals." Aiden shoved the tape back in the bag. "Teagan fixes hurt animals at the zoo."
    "Does she, then?" Finn said. "What kind?"
    "Naked mole rats." Aiden shrugged. "Ugly things like that. Tea thinks apes are just ugly people."
    "Not really." Teagan was surprised to find that her voice wasn't shaky. "Not exactly. But I think they are more than we give them credit for, and they should be given space to survive. To live free."
    "How can you like the zoo, then?" Finn asked.
    "I don't have to like the cages to love the animals." She set the noodles on the table.
    The Wylltsons sat down, and Finn took his place across from Mrs. Wylltson. Teagan bowed her head.
    "
May the blessing of the five loaves and the two fishes be ours,
" they all spoke the prayer together. Finn clearly knew it—he didn't miss a word. "May the
King who did the sharing bless our sharing and our co-sharing. Amen.
"
    He had a little difficulty using his left hand for the silverware, and it was obvious he wasn't used to eating at a table. But he wasn't embarrassed or awkward, just ... observant.
    He took a portion of every dish that was passed to him, just like Mr. Wylltson did.
    Teagan was sure the spaghetti would defeat him. He studied Mr. Wylltson's method of twirling a neat knob of noodles on the end of his fork, using his spoon for support, and Aiden's capture-and-slurp-the-worm method. Since he couldn't use the spoon, he settled for a twirl and slurp and managed to get tomato sauce on his chin.
    Mr. Wylltson picked up his napkin and wiped his lips and chin, and Finn immediately did the same. Teagan looked away quickly to hide her smile. Her father had figured out what Finn was doing and was giving him cues.
    "Where is Mamieo?" Mrs. Wylltson asked.
    "Around," Finn said. "You didn't mention her to Ms. Skinner?"
    "Finn Mac Cumhaill," Mrs. Wylltson said. "I've lived the Traveler way. Of course I didn't."
    "I don't know where she is, exactly," Finn said, relaxing a little. "I didn't know you were still in Chicago, either, Aunt Aileen. Not when I gave them your name. Mamieo has scattered the family."
    "Why?" Mrs. Wylltson asked. "Why would she do that?"
    "I don't know. It was years ago."
    "How long have you been living on your own?"
    "Five years," Finn said. "I was in a foster home for a year after my parents died. They were good people, for rooters. It's why I had to leave. I stayed with Mamieo for a year. I've been on my own since then."
    "You've been living on the streets since you were twelve?" Mr. Wylltson asked. "How did you manage?"
    "Let the boy eat in peace," Mrs. Wylltson said. "He's home now."
    "This is how it works around here, Finn," Mr. Wylltson said when the meal was finished. "Teagan cooked, Aileen's on a deadline with her painting, so that leaves you and me to clean up. Do you want to do the dishes, or read aloud while I do them?"
    "Never been much for books." Finn eyed the pile of pots in the sink.
    "The boy's injured, John," Mrs. Wylltson said.
    "I can manage well enough," Finn said. "I'll do my share."
    "Think before you make your move, Finn," Mrs. Wylltson advised. "You should never take the