More Than a Disease

Heidi blinked, caught off guard. "You want to... ?"

Thaddeus flinched instinctively, shrinking behind his sister. Years of shame had wired the reaction into his bones.

"Don't get the wrong idea." Elora's voice was easy, unhurried. "I'm not trying to make fun of him. I just want to see."

Thaddeus bit his lip. He screwed up his courage, and when he spoke, the words were careful and deliberate. "It's