Childhood Friends?

John was reluctant to bring up the matter of Billy Thornton when he saw how affected Hazel was by hearing very basic little stories about her parents. She looked as fragile as glass right now.

There were so many emotions mixed together in her expression that he couldn't even name them all. But they were overshadowed by an overall air of vulnerability that made his heart ache.

This poor girl had been through so much. He fervently wished there was more he could do for her but it wasn't his place.

He had thought about her on and off throughout the years—more often later when he was a social worker—but she hadn't remembered him at all. She likely wouldn't welcome the concern of a virtual stranger.

But it continued to nag him as they talked. To tell or not to tell?

Hazel could be in real danger if Thornton was still out there. But if he wasn't, John would be stressing her out unnecessarily. Maybe he could phrase it differently…ask if anything weird had happened to her lately.