Several emotions passed through Ethan’s features. Slowly, he lowered himself back onto the stool. His dark eyes filled with unshed tears and he looked up at Charlie. “Thank God.” His voice escaped in a near whisper. He sat quietly for another few moments until a look of hurt squeezed his eyes. “Charlie, why didn’t you tell me? As far as I know, you’ve never kept a secret from me.”
Charlie’s heart wrung painfully. “You’re right, I haven’t done. However, I was afraid that if you knew, you’d push me to resume a ‘normal’ life. But I can’t, Ethan. This bizarre, God-awful sensitivity of mine makes it utterly agonizing to be around people. I feel all their pain and sorrow and it makes me want to curl up and die. Just the little while I spent talking to Violette made me feel so awfully for her. W
