"Not me," comes the pushback. He holds Tommy as tight as he dares, not wanting him to think it'd be easy to get away. "Your parents are pieces of shit. They're right there with Neil. You be the bodyguard for Billy Kaplan, I'll be the bodyguard for you."

Billy pulls back enough to look at Tommy. "Look at me, Tommy." Reaches up to rub his thumb against that cheek. "I told you, awhile back that Temba was supposed to be my miracle. It isn't. You are, okay? And if you think I'm leaving my miracle behind, you're crazy enough to give Harrington a run for his money."

He thinks for a moment. "Also, maybe the one parent of yours that wasn't shit is... what his name? Vizh?"