It's all in how you ask

My request to a writer friend:

Respectfully submitted for your consideration;

"Umm…do you…" He twisted his faded cap in his grubby hands.

"What is it?" she snapped.

"Well… I don't… I mean, I can't…"

"You lost another one, didn't you?"

He stared at his scruffy shoes scraping in the dust as he tried to form a reply. He nodded.

"Do you think I keep new ones sitting around in case you lose one? Do you?"

"No." It was a whisper.

"Which one this time?"

"Chapter Ten, ma'am."


Her reply:

After picking herself up off the floor, and tenderly holding her side, she acquiesced to his request.
The result:
I got Chapter Ten. It was good. Thank you, Becky