Liam slowly read through the sentences, his finger moving along each word. He was a good reader for his age, but this was a bit complex for him. Cherie hesitated, not sure whether she should step in and help or let him work it out on his own—but while she was deciding what to do, he started to write in slow, careful letters.

“Sick?” Zinn asked, glancing at Cherie.

“He had severe meningitis two years ago. That’s when he lost his hearing.”

“Oh.”

A very long pause from Liam…

Zinn shook her head, then replied on the menu.