Simon bristled, his grief and confusion giving way to blind anger. "Don't fucking patronize me. I know you don't actually want to do any of it. Didn't anyone ever tell you that dogs smell fear?"

He felt a twinge of regret as soon as the words left his mouth, but he didn't care. He was too far gone for that.

He laughed hollowly, turning to look at his parents. They looked away. "Am I still your son? Bet you've got buyer's remorse now. Caveat Emptor, and all that."

"Simon..." his mother began softly, but she refused to look him in the eye. "You know that's not..." She trailed off, unable to complete the sentence.