32 Heartfelt Bonds

Lia continued to comfort Carl, making sure he wasn't crying anymore. She gently tousled his hair and asked, "Did you ever meet your mother when you were little?" "No," Carl shook his head, a shadow of disappointment crossing his face. "I've never met my parents. They don't want me. I've only ever had a nanny. My grandfather would visit sometimes, but I don't like him." Another child was robbed of his parents at a far too young age. Perhaps it was their shared pain that made Tia feel such a deep affection for Carl. They got along splendidly, chatting about all sorts of things. Carl sniffled, looking down. "I don't have any friends, and I don't like my grandfather. He's always busy, and when he's not, he's grumpy." Lia's heart went out to the lonely boy. "I'm sorry to hear that, Carl. But you don't have to be sad. Maybe we can be friends, and you won't be alone anymore." Carl looked up at Lia with wide eyes, a glimmer of hope in them. "Really? Friends?" Lia smiled warmly. "Absolute