"Say 'Apple'." Howdy insists with a smile, pointing at the flashcard. You stare blankly at him.

"... Okay" Howdy mumbles after a few minutes of silence. "Not a fan of apples. Fair enough" He reaches for another flashcard. The school you'd spoken your first words; words which he'd missed and now he can't shake off the guilt

"Look at this one" Howdy says, keeping up the fake cheer as he holds the card. "Cat."