How many foster families had he been certain liked him? But wave the concept of real adoption papers, and they vanished. Couple the daunting reality of commitment with his behavioral issues and, well...

"Yes," he says. Quickly he follows it up with, "And I know it's not entirely rational. But that's how it is. He's obligated to care about me. I'll never know now if he comes to help me because he wants it or because we signed a contract."

Which isn't fair to Drake, who cares so earnestly about people. But like Jesus said: it isn't rational. It's an old world problem he had no reason to think he'd ever have to face again.

"I'm sorry I hurt you."