What? He listened and the other man seemed sincere but it was strange to him. Francis studied him and squinted his eyes. Finally he sighed and shook his head. "I never noticed any scars. I will say though.. For a man whose job is to talk to people great and small.. your talking skills stink. "

He decided to see if Malachi really wanted to make things right and clear the air. He very briefly patted the man's shoulder to guide him. "Come.. you don't like to eat. So let's drink and talk to me." He wanted to drink, and if he got this man to share some wine or something, perhaps he'd get a bit. And the man could talk. The fact he'd said nothing to anyone would make him realize that Francis was a lockbox of secrets. "You can tell me why you like this man, or why it didn't work out. Or whatever's on your mind. You could use it, since you actually came to me to talk out of everyone."