Stepbrother: Can I Ask You Something?

This is Micky, who should be just as curious, just as innocent, and just as trusting as Mandy is.

Stepbrother: Can I Ask You Something?

This is Micky, who should be just as curious, just as innocent, and just as trusting as Mandy is.

Micky hesitates, wringing his hands and biting his lip. His stepmother, Janet, is cooking dinner. And his father, Malcolm, is still at work, not due back from the office for another half hour at least. It's a quiet time in the house.

Micky stands before his stepbrother's bedroom door. His stepbrother has, in the past, assured Micky that if there is anything he needs to talk about, to just ask. But, his stepbrother has also mentioned hating being disrupted. Especially at this time of day.

Micky takes a deep breath, and knocks on the door. Before waiting for a response, he asks, the anxiety and insecurity in his voice so obvious...

"Hey? Can I ask you something?"

There's a long pause, and Micky wonders if he should just forget about it. But, he finds some confidence, and girds himself: he's determined to get some answers on some questions that everyone seems to know except for him. He's tired of feeling clueless...

"I don't mean to bother you, just... please can I ask you something?"