Breakfast was always quiet at Asher's house. His parents never said anything, and Asher had learned long ago that anything he said would be met with a silent stare.
Nevertheless, some things you just had to tell your parents.
"I had a strange dream last night," Asher said.
"That's nice," his father said. "Pass the jam."
Asher slid the raspberry jam across the table. "It was about Jonas," he continued doggedly.
His mother looked up from her scrambled eggs. "Yes?"
"We were wrestling," Asher said, "just playing like we usually do. Then Jonas pinned me, and..." He quickly took a bite of his toast. The way his parents were staring at him told him that maybe he shouldn't have brought up the subject. "Never mind. It's not important."
His father had finished his orange juice. "No, go on."
Asher took a deep breath. "He kissed me. And he was rubbing me, and it felt good..." His voice trailed off.
Asher's mother and father exchanged a look. Then his father said, "Asher, I think it's time for you to start taking the pill your mother and I take."
"Okay," Asher said.