Forsaken
I ask once I've collected myself enough to formulate actual words.
"A book," he replies, lifting it in his hand for me to see. "I went to the bookstore and thought I'd try one. I haven't really read anything just for fun in years."
"Why not?" I question, my eyes tracking his movement as we walk.
"My past," he replies slowly, the single word carrying a heavy weight, as if speaking of it hurts him deeply.
I drop my short-lived investigation into that route immediately and try another. "What book did you get?"