[ She squeezes his hand a little bit tighter. She keeps her voice as even as she can manage it, showing ... trying hard to express all her affection and none of her hurt. After all, the fact of the matter is while no one has hurt her more than this boy, that's because she loves this boy. She was more than willing to make him her son and...

Maybe they're there. Maybe they'll never be there.

Oh well, a mother does what she can. ]

That isn't how it has to be, Silver. [ Her voice is gentle. ] I know it's hard for you to trust anyone, least of all me... but you do have people who will support you, both to keep you close when you need it, and to allow you that independence now.

The world isn't as cruel as you think.