Gunner paused his sweeping, resting his heavily tattooed forearms on top of the broom handle. He leaned down slightly, examining the small boy with a mixture of surprise and stern curiosity.
"You can," Gunner answered, his deep, gravelly voice measured. "But why would you want to?"
Toby swallowed hard, tears brimming in his brown eyes. He squeezed his backpack straps tight as his chin trembled with pure, desperate fear.